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
William Robin, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
The masterly second installment of Wolf Hall retails permanent lessons in power.
—Martha Bayles, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Adjective
This masterly music might have languished in obscurity—like most of Riley’s other records, which remain high-price rarities in the vinyl market—but for Columbia’s reach.
—William Robin, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
The masterly second installment of Wolf Hall retails permanent lessons in power.
—Martha Bayles, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
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
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Kayla Poirier didn’t get the glory that comes associated with scoring a goal, but without a couple skillful touches by the senior, Mahtomedi would no longer have a chance to repeat as state champions.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
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The skillful craftsmanship of the artists is amazing, and the story is also great.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) Barry Jenkins masterfully adapts James Baldwin’s novel of the same name into the beautiful love story.—
Taryn Finley,
Refinery29,
7 Nov. 2025
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Vercellino later founded The Lion Heart Experience, a touring company composed of his former students that masterfully fuses storytelling, original music, and painting to inspire self-worth in young audiences.—
Kris Ann Valdez,
Parents,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Detroit rebounded and put together a masterful offensive performance in a win over the Washington Commanders.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is masterful at finding ways to pressure young quarterbacks.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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No army in history seemed ever to have been more ragged and motley and mongrel and polyglot than the Continental, rich and poor, learned and illiterate, from boys to old men, skilled and unskilled, born all over the world, speaking dozens of languages, believing in different gods and in no god.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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China is increasingly leading the US as the center of global research, and cuts and restrictions on skilled migration are hampering Washington’s fightback.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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The hotel, which cinched a Michelin Key this year, has 65 rooms and suites that skillfully combine historic Victorian style with modern touches.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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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
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,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 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,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Beath attempted to get the adept electrician to comment on the crash.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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This year, job advertisements have been soaring for a new specialist software developer who can write code, but also is adept at talking to customers.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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