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
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
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
-
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
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Six points clear of Manchester City and Villa, Arsenal can boast form and — for the first time in a while — fitness, with Declan Rice marking his return to the lineup with a virtuoso two-goal display against Bournemouth.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rosenberg is careful to note that this doesn’t require abandoning values or discernment, but recognizing that beneath every expression — skillful, clumsy, or even hurtful — is an unmet need.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The music’s dizzying rhythmic variation is skillful and studied enough that its humor can’t be mistaken for gimmicky internet caricature.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Director Tony Williams masterfully curates a mood of oppressive dread from the opening minutes through the bloody climax and explosive final frames, making this one of the very best Australian horror films of all time.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Fuerza Regida masterfully blends heartbreak and dangerous rumors into one gripping track.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Mike Vrabel has done a masterful coaching job to pull this team to the Super Bowl, but New England’s offense won’t be enough in this game.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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In his masterful first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, ghouls and spirits keep chattering away, as if at a corner barbershop, while Abraham Lincoln mourns his dead 11-year-old son, Willie.—
Pico Iyer,
Air Mail,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The skilled direction of performance from the cast.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
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In the rest of the territory, companies or nations attempting to mine would have to build their own energy grid and transport networks, given the interior’s lack of either, as well as import an entire skilled labor force.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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This 2026 reissue of the sneaker features a slim shape and a low profile—skillfully tapping into the current hype surrounding nostalgic slim sneakers.—
Katharina Fuchs,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
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De Araújo lived through a similar trauma and skillfully maps the chasm between parents who want to protect their kid’s innocence and a girl who needs answers.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 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,
3 Feb. 2026
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Sign up for Ced’s Corner Sign up for Cedric Golden’s newsletter for hot takes and expert analysis each Tuesday on Texas Longhorns football and beyond.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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To their credit, the Heat are quite good at pivoting and have proven adept at handling a ticking clock.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
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Others might not be as adept at doing so.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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