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
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
His handling of her final moments, ultimately placing her calmly sitting on the edge of the stage, is masterly.
—David Benedict, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Adjective
Here and elsewhere, the intermingling of voices and instruments is masterly.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
His handling of her final moments, ultimately placing her calmly sitting on the edge of the stage, is masterly.
—David Benedict, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
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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Kirk Baxter’s arrhythmic cutting is designed around quicksilver shifts that, along with Barry Ackroyd’s restlessly attentive, mostly handheld camerawork, allow Bigelow to redirect our attention with virtuoso command.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The skillful craftsmanship of the artists is amazing, and the story is also great.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Sarandos, who in shaping the era’s most successful Big Tech entrant to Hollywood has always been a skillful communicator, gave a telling answer.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Milei caters masterfully to Trump’s ego and will be president even if his party loses seats in Argentina’s legislature.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
26 Oct. 2025
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Building off a masterful National League Championship Series performance, Yamamoto became the first pitcher to log consecutive postseason complete games since Arizona Diamondbacks ace Curt Schilling in 2001, and the first Dodger to do it since Orel Hershiser in 1988.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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Still, Tagovailoa put on a masterful performance against the Falcons, completing 77% of his passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After inadvertently amassing a network of specialized experts, the startup has pivoted to hiring highly skilled professionals to train AI models.—
Jaures Yip,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
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Greenlight Alberta, which its creators say is the first of its kind in Canada, will see local professionals trained in key production roles, as an answer to the growing demand for skilled crew across the country.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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And when wielded skillfully, the very tools that mislead us can help us out of this conundrum.—
Nadav Ziv,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The six-episode limited series skillfully blends the past and the present.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Plus, an expert PEOPLE editor answers the burning question of the week, and one of our favorite stars joins us for a sitdown.—
Staff Author Updated,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Enemy fighters are surprisingly more adept than expected, especially at normal difficulty.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
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Ski and snowboard lessons are crucial to becoming adept and safe on the slopes.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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