1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

masterly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈma-stər-lē How to pronounce masterly (audio)
Definition of masterlynext
1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

masterly

2 of 2

adverb

as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner a masterly executed somersault

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of 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
Les Bleus continue their masterly run through the World Cup, winning by multiple goals for the fifth time in six matches. — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
  1. virtuoso
  2. skillful
  3. masterfully
  4. masterful
  5. skilled
  6. skillfully
  7. expert
  8. adept
Adjective
  • Through 107 career games, Minten’s profile has leaned more toward dependable cello player than virtuoso first violinist.
    — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Bellow felt an affinity with Kennedy’s combination of low-life high jinks, human frailty, and virtuoso style.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • But be that guy that can be skillful, a bruiser, fast and tough.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • As Musashi scrambles through a school of Samurai, the game seamlessly bounces between skillful swordplay, rowdy improvisation, and Looney Tunes-style levity.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of skillful
Adverb
  • The Soundcore Select 4 Go pairs an adventure-proof IP67 design with exceptional 20-hour battery life masterfully.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Turning for home, jockey Manny Franco masterfully guided Leading Change off the rail and into the clear outside the still leading Napoleon.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of masterfully
Adjective
  • Barbarian and Weapons both succeeded in their masterful ability to strike a balance between horror and comedy without allowing either element to detract from the other.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The scene highlights Rohrwacher’s delicate vulnerability and her masterful way of capturing Erika’s inner life, at once hollowed out yet in turmoil.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • The annual cost for a private room in a skilled nursing facility in North Carolina was $129,575 a year or $10,798 a month, according to Genworth Cost of Care survey data.
    — Anna Roman, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Data center construction is increasing competition for skilled workers in the region, according to survey results from the Associated General Contractors of America.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of skilled
Adverb
  • These nine classics skillfully keep audiences guessing while depicting different kinds of waking nightmares, making the protagonists’ traumas our own for a few entertaining hours.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Comedy lends itself perfectly to this, and our writers and director have skillfully women in elements that help achieve this aim.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of skillfully
Adjective
  • Being an experienced or even expert meditator didn’t necessarily protect people.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Learn when and how to harvest blanket flower seeds, along with expert tips for storing and sowing, to keep the blooms coming without having to make a trip to the garden center next season.
    — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • Leo, a math major and former superior general of his Augustinian religious order, is known to be adept at financial matters and reading balance sheets.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Korean brands have become particularly adept at turning said ingredients into lightweight, layered topicals that are easy to incorporate into everyday rituals.
    — Sophie Dunne, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of adept

Browse Nearby Words

masterliness
masterly
mastermind
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All