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
-
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
-
The episode included a medical evacuation, the discovery of an immunity idol, skillful fire-making and numerous plot twists.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
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
Adverb
-
But as our perceptions of Clark shift with various revelations, Bateman masterfully modifies his bearing from blandly sinister to sweetly sincere and back again.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Madrigal masterfully weaves together the financial, technological, and geological forces that shaped his hometown, and shows us how individual lives were shaped by these powerful currents.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Unsettlingly revealing and with masterful aesthetics, Yulia Lokshina’s brilliant documentary stays etched in memory long after the end credits.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
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Each of them is more like functional art, as much to be admired as played, the time and effort required to produce such masterful designs self-evident.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Every industry now faces some form of scarcity – skilled labor, components, energy, fabrication capacity, or regulatory throughput.—
Travis Edmonds,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Any of these pieces of equipment in the hands of a skilled operator should be able to make quick work of an average-sized stump.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
At the far end of the open-plan ground floor is Sushi Nagi—an intimate counter restaurant with wall panels depicting pines, where chef Taira Tsuneyoshi skillfully presents an array of local treats, from uni sea urchin to Botan-ebi shrimps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Enter expert gardening consultant Kenley Larkin.—
Mary Grace Granados,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
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Local designers will present an expert presentation on the slow fashion movement that addresses the urgent need to move towards more sustainable models in the fashion and retail industries.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The country has become more adept at skirting these restrictions, sending about 90% of its exports to China.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
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Southerners are so adept at whipping up this recipe, that they've been known to add in some extra flavor boosters like chocolate or bourbon to kick things up a notch.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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