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
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
The first sixty pages provide a masterly chronological overview of the Peasants’ War.
—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
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
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
-
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
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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
-
Ryan plays a character who’s unbelievably skillful and unbelievably scared.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
-
That was so skillful and subtle.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Johannes displays an astonishing technical prowess and an ability to masterfully sing advanced tenor repertoire.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Since then, it has been performed across much of the world, being ideally suited to these impecunious times and very masterfully written.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The other noticeable thing about new Kalo did not have a lot to do with history but rather very clever editing as producers put together a masterful montage of Genevieve working the entire tribe against Aubry.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
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Harvey also led Team USA to a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics, won tournament MVP and put her masterful skating and offensive skills on display on the biggest stage.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Having spent a decade in lower-skilled positions at Virco, including in shipping and receiving, Moss is excited to have this chance.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
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Many of the region’s preschools operate on shoe-string budgets, serving largely low-income families who cannot afford the tuition hikes that would cover higher-skilled teachers or extra training.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
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In my view, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu skillfully used political leverage and diplomatic pressure to shape the process publicly and privately.—
Mehrzad Boroujerdi,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Sign up for Ced's Corner Sign up for Cedric Golden’s newsletter for hot takes and expert analysis each Tuesday on Texas Longhorns football and beyond.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
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Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As an actress, Avery is an equally adept story teller.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
But just as it is said that both John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan were extremely adept at the age of television.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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