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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
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
The first sixty pages provide a masterly chronological overview of the Peasants’ War.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
Adjective
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Slafkovský had two goals and an assist in a virtuoso performance, and Iowa Wild goaltender Samuel Hlavaj was sensational, stopping 39 of 40 shots, including an 18-save first period that gave his team belief that the improbable was possible.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
McIntosh, a brilliant composer who has a sideline as a virtuoso early-music violinist, revelled in the microtonal shadings that Feldman built into his notation.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Mercedes assures that its Ludwigsfelde employees have undergone extensive training on the processes to ensure the most skillful RV preparation.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Elegant materials, bespoke furnishings, skillful layering of textures, and eye-catching lighting are all hallmarks of Hogarty’s soulful spaces, and the firm seeks to create an emotional response with its polished yet comfortable aesthetic.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Hinds, meanwhile, masterfully shows an affable partner’s emotional immobility.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
One of the best fine-dining options in the city is Restaurant A, which masterfully blends French and Taiwanese cooking techniques.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Speaking of the Albert family, Kenny has done an absolutely masterful job on Olympic hockey.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
These flourishes are individually masterful, and lead to extended scenes that become hard to look away from, even though the doc as a whole doesn’t quite construct the strongest narrative foundations.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The judge said competent attorneys need to adhere to court evidence rules and be skilled tacticians.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
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Iowa’s 15 community colleges could offer bachelor’s degrees in high-demand workforce areas, such as health care, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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At one point, I was questioned by local police and had to skillfully lie about my situation.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Fischer skillfully braids the three stories together, situating them in an atmosphere of creative ferment and reckless churn.—
Michael O’Donnell,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The former tennis pro, who has emerged as a fan favorite for expert analysis and natural charisma, will join the network as an on-air commentator and host.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
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Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Takeaway With Generation Alpha, expect to see a new group of people who are more accepting of differences, more socially adept, tech-savvy, and perhaps more cognizant of complex issues like climate change.—
Sarah Cottrell,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
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Benge isn’t particularly speedy, but fast enough to play center field, and adept enough in his routes and tracking to play center as well.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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