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
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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
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During her tenure at UTA, her skillful agenting has shaped and built the careers of so many iconic talents.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
She is remembered as a gifted painter and skillful in pastels, in addition to being an avid supporter of philanthropic causes and frequent golfer, finding both love and frustration in the sport, her family says.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
4 Feb. 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
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Once masterful on breakouts and ironclad in individual battles, Doughty has dipped in both areas.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Take last Sunday’s historic Grammy Album of the Year win, which made his masterful LP Debi Tirar Mas Fotos the first all-Spanish-language album to win in the category.—
Vanessa Diaz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That said, Klint Kubiak does have a huge ace in the hole with the most skilled offensive player on the field in the league’s leading receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba.—
Hank Gola,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
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The contest was a great battle between two very skilled teams.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 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 9 Feb. 2026.
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