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
-
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
-
All of it proved how masterfully the chefs have managed to combine the flavors of distinct world cultures.—
Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
As the more mercurial of the two, Culkin masterfully navigates an excellent character arc, taking an outspoken nuisance and giving him thoughtful nuance on a Holocaust tour.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 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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With the Ducks in desperation mode, Kreider skillfully redirected Jacob Trouba’s shot from the point for the 21st goal of his first season with Anaheim.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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With the Ducks in desperation mode, Kreider skillfully redirected Jacob Trouba's shot from the point for the 21st goal of his first season with Anaheim.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 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,
10 Mar. 2026
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Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is an ideal solution for technically adept web admins who prioritize cost-effectiveness, absolute control, and performance.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
8 Mar. 2026
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Tim Robinson’s The Chair Company is likewise uncomfortably adept at depicting how navigating our immensely complicated, interconnected society can feel.—
Jake Pitre,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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