1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skillful
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
a masterly handling of a complex topic in philosophy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
a masterly executed somersault
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of masterly
Phillipa Gregory, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The masterly second installment of Wolf Hall retails permanent lessons in power.
—Martha Bayles, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
At times, Davis is a masterly nocturne painter, in the vein of Whistler and Henry Ossawa Tanner; at others, his world is medicinally clear and well lit, like that of a Thomas Eakins.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Adjective
Wolf Hall is the first — and my favorite — of the masterly trilogy which follows the rise of Thomas Crowell, advisor to Henry VIII.
—Phillipa Gregory, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The masterly second installment of Wolf Hall retails permanent lessons in power.
—Martha Bayles, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
Adverb
At age 31, chef de cuisine at the restaurant Alain Ducasse (at the Essex House hotel in New York City), one of the city's finest establishments, Didier is a masterly cook with a rigorous classical training.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
At times, Davis is a masterly nocturne painter, in the vein of Whistler and Henry Ossawa Tanner; at others, his world is medicinally clear and well lit, like that of a Thomas Eakins.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
Adjective
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The teacher was Orlandi himself, both an authority on the history of the instrument and a virtuoso performer.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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The French Connection is now mostly remembered for its virtuoso chase scene and Gene Hackman’s charm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Miami coach Mario Cristobal is known for his skillful recruiting of top prospects.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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And can that leader evolve and morph over time, hopefully becoming more skillful.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The album is full of strange, brilliant contradictions; Oklou slides masterfully between fun and eccentricity, pump and pathos.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The service in Serra was efficient and personable, while in The Eagle Bar, our mixologist masterfully walked the line between professional and cheeky, giving us a sense of real ease.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The masterful move addressed the Rams’ most pressing need and gave them a Super Bowl-ready roster.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Spurs have done a masterful job against Advija since his Game 1 explosion.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Antonio Express-News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And their second-best defender, Jaden McDaniels, is skilled at calling the Nuggets’ names.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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While one research study found REIT investments were associated with higher spending on nursing wages, another concluded that after being bought by REITs, nursing homes frequently replaced registered nurses with less skilled nurses and aides.—
Jordan Rau,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Bronze Age symbolizes a time of change Bronze, a raw material, was skillfully manipulated to create objects that not only carried weight but also meaning.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
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It’s based on an unconventional true story from recent history, set on the British Isles, with a tone that alternates between humorous and sorrowful before delivering an uplifting and humanist message, with skillfully invisible filmmaking that takes a backseat to the performances and story.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Judge Liman did not immediately rule on whether the expert testimony on the topics would be permitted.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The numbers also highlight how Safonov is making cross claims or sweeping outside his box more than twice the rate Chevalier is, although the Frenchman is more adept with his feet, playing more passes, completing a higher rate.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Different power plants have different beneficial attributes, and nuclear power plants are especially adept at meeting round the clock demand.—
Paige Lambermont,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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