masterly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈma-stər-lē How to pronounce masterly (audio)
Definition of masterlynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

masterly

2 of 2

adverb

as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner a masterly executed somersault

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of 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
Les Bleus continue their masterly run through the World Cup, winning by multiple goals for the fifth time in six matches. — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
  1. virtuoso
  2. skillful
  3. masterfully
  4. masterful
  5. skilled
  6. skillfully
  7. expert
  8. adept
Adjective
  • Every day, the virtuoso violinist plays for an audience of travelers, with his stage in the pedestrian tunnel that links the CTA and parking garages to the terminals.
    — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Through 107 career games, Minten’s profile has leaned more toward dependable cello player than virtuoso first violinist.
    — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • But be that guy that can be skillful, a bruiser, fast and tough.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • As Musashi scrambles through a school of Samurai, the game seamlessly bounces between skillful swordplay, rowdy improvisation, and Looney Tunes-style levity.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of skillful
Adverb
  • Videos shared by Nevada’s parents on Instagram show the precocious dynamo masterfully weaving between taller players and delivering powerful kicks driving the ball into the goal.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Seattle accomplishes this by masterfully disguising defensive assignments before the snap, which can force Mahomes to diagnose where to go with the football only after dropping back.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of masterfully
Adjective
  • But the masterful mash-ups and West Coast flavor added some razzle-dazzle.
    — Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In a masterful unbroken shot, Klaus is on the phone from France with his sister, expressing his bottomless anguish.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • BlackRock, the largest asset manager on earth, put up $100 million over five years to connect 50,000 workers with skilled trades training.
    — Alok Chanani, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Kacmarek, a skilled run blocker, permitted the first sack of his career.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of skilled
Adverb
  • The video shows Nevada skillfully dribbling the ball and scoring, before cutting to the preschool prodigy looking at the cops with confusion.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Telhou uses primal shouts to keep the herd together, while Saâdia uses a slingshot contraption to skillfully throw stones at straying goats.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of skillfully
Adjective
  • There are saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and—most importantly—expert trainers and therapists who guide all guests through a journey of deep relaxation and rejuvenation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The sarcophagus has been on display at Westminster Abbey for more than 150 years, with occasional breaks for expert analysis, most recently in 2018, when the abbey was preparing to display it in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • All this is fun to read, since Philbrick is an adept and congenial storyteller.
    — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • One of Indian democracy’s great achievements is that even its poorest citizens have proved adept at recognizing when the power of their vote is being wrested away, gauging the consequences and organizing to resist.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of adept

Browse Nearby Words

masterliness
masterly
mastermind
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Cite this Entry

“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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