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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A lot of the movie feels like a virtuoso chase sequence, people barreling down the road, guns blazing.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
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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
Adjective
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What followed in the 20th minute, though, is the kind of end-to-end attack that is the hallmark of the American game, with a skillful finish that is decidedly uncommon from a USA star.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.—
Cesar R. Torres,
The Conversation,
26 May 2026
Adverb
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Approximately 160 hours were devoted to diamond setting alone, with artisans hand carving the gold to accommodate each diamond and masterfully setting them into place one by one with tiny tweezers.—
Roberta Naas,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Texture and color are masterfully layered throughout the floor plan, providing an enticing setting for your visit to Mexico’s capital city.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
That would’ve been a masterful cameo.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
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The masterful blend of creamy cheese, crabmeat, and just a little bit of heat has long made crab mornay a Southern classic.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Workshop bookings from tourists are helping skilled craftspeople stay in business — and keeping the techniques themselves from disappearing.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
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Evergreen Valley College sits right in the heart of East San José and produces talented, skilled graduates who are ready to work.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adverb
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That’s the spousal duo of Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses, songwriters with a splendid sense of how to use mood, melody and skillfully honed lyrics to drive a story forward.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
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One attendee noted that Power even skillfully covered for a castmate who’d messed up his lines.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 May 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,
2 June 2026
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After the trial, it was rumored that the jury had initially been split 9-3 for acquittal, and that the minority was brought around by the expert testimony.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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The models have shown themselves adept at finding security flaws in software, creating concerns that adversaries could use them to launch cyberattacks on government agencies, banks and critical infrastructure.—
Cat Zakrzewski The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2026
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Galitzine has proven himself adept at comedic acting and looks to be a perfect pick for the comically masculine role of He-Man.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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