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
Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
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
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 age 31, chef de cuisine at the restaurant Alain Ducasse (at the Essex House hotel in New York City), one of the city's finest establishments, Didier is a masterly cook with a rigorous classical training.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
Adjective
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The teacher was Orlandi himself, both an authority on the history of the instrument and a virtuoso performer.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The French Connection is now mostly remembered for its virtuoso chase scene and Gene Hackman’s charm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This country has produced leaders who understood that the office was never about them, that service means something, and that the people watching from home deserve better than a system that rewards the skillful exit over the honest reckoning.—
Nick Weston,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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Miami coach Mario Cristobal is known for his skillful recruiting of top prospects.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
This layer cake masterfully balances salty and sweet.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
The Doll Factory masterfully transforms the excellent best-selling novel into a gripping and darkly beautiful series.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jose did a wonderful job, a masterful job at getting him there.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
-
Jose did a wonderful job, masterful job.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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This episode is a showcase for Aleida’s unapologetic, highly skilled direct communications style.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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Effective programs have shown a significant impact in building engineering pipelines, resulting in high numbers of full-time, highly skilled hires.—
Mike Kelleher,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Athletic departments that skillfully use data will be able to bridge some, but not all, of the financial gap separating them from opponents, Sabin said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Apr. 2026
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Flashbacks are deployed as more than mere framing devices, since the past plays an active, exciting role in the town’s present, and there’s an extended drug trip that skillfully manipulates lapsed time through recurring blackouts to keep you on the edge of your seat.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 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,
28 Apr. 2026
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Judge Liman did not immediately rule on whether the expert testimony on the topics would be permitted.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd is hopefully adept at multitasking.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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But to our wonderful surprise, O’Hara is equally adept at slapstick hijinks, as the lustful ladies get sufficiently sozzled awaiting their mysterious beau.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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