1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory
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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
Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2019
His accent was unaccented, and his biking around the city was masterly.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
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
The scene offered a preview of how perfectly Tennant’s Doctor would embody the duality of this hero through his three-plus seasons in the TARDIS — a masterly balance of stillness and chatter, heft and levity.
—Maya Phillips, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Adjective
The authors of this concise and masterly introduction to the topic go some way toward filling that gap.
—Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2019
His accent was unaccented, and his biking around the city was masterly.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
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
The scene offered a preview of how perfectly Tennant’s Doctor would embody the duality of this hero through his three-plus seasons in the TARDIS — a masterly balance of stillness and chatter, heft and levity.
—Maya Phillips, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
Adjective
-
The result is a skillful balance between dewy and glossy, blushy and gleamy.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
18 July 2025
-
But despite those skillful trappings, the story soon feels ponderous.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Beyond their records, Ali and Usyk share other similarities, such as brilliant footwork, masterful defense and an Einstein-level boxing IQ.—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Known for his signature visual style and masterful tension-building in crime stories, Kim now turns his lens to the glamorous yet cutthroat world of K-Pop, exploring the fierce desires and ambitions that drive it.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Many of these apprentices were not skilled tradesmen.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
22 July 2025
-
The same is true of pickleball, where a skilled player with the right paddle can cause problems for an opponent.—
Martin Cizmar,
Wired News,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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The plaintiffs are also asking Battaglia to strike the testimony of the county’s expert six witnesses.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 July 2025
-
Following the hollowing-out of the nation’s scientific infrastructure through deep funding cuts and the firing of federal scientists, the executive order is an attempt to rewrite the rules of how our expert bureaucracy operates.—
David Michaels,
The Atlantic,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Customer service reps, especially those with experience, are adept at handling these data discrepancies.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
The ants that nest in pots are adept at picking up their colonies and moving them quickly, says Liesch.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 July 2025
Adverb
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Organizations that prioritize this foundational investment in their people will be the ones best prepared to meet tomorrow’s sophisticated AI threats head-on and emerge stronger.—
Vishaal Hariprasad,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
More people remained missing in those counties as well.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
According to Jacobo Lovo, managing artistic director of Latino Arts, the mural has welcomed thousands of UCC visitors every year.—
Kylie Volavongsa,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
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Because despite dwindling ticket sales and flailing artistic reputation, Trump’s domestic policy bill provides over $250 million to the center, six times the amount normally allocated.—
Christine Ledbetter,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Literacy expert Molly Ness, PhD, who was interviewed as part of her partnership with Amazon, notes that 65 percent of fourth graders aren’t reading at a proficient level.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
24 July 2025
-
The law doesn’t specify a grade level for instruction but calls for all students to be proficient.—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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