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
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
The first sixty pages provide a masterly chronological overview of the Peasants’ War.
—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
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
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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Slafkovský had two goals and an assist in a virtuoso performance, and Iowa Wild goaltender Samuel Hlavaj was sensational, stopping 39 of 40 shots, including an 18-save first period that gave his team belief that the improbable was possible.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Newport’s skillful direction drives the more than 3½-hour play (including two intermissions), making every minute count.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Finnish native Margareta Martin brought enthusiasm and skillful organizing following a move to Atlanta, a dynamic that helped establish a wide variety of cultural, business, artistic and culinary links between the Nordic world and here.—
Mark Woolsey,
AJC.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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The show at the Kimbell is masterfully installed, both impressive and subtle in its narrative flow and visual rhythm and at moments quite moving.—
Sarah Kozlowski,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Jeffries then masterfully wrapped Copeland’s hair into what was meant to appear like an infinite knot.—
Tori Crowther,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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From intricate trills and inner voices to grand scales and fiery fast notes, Barnatan gave a masterful performance, supported by a commanding presence from the orchestra, culminating in a final variation that doubled as a fever dream.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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Mercedes-Benz’s dominance of Formula 1 in the 2010s—helmed by masterful driver Lewis Hamilton—is well known.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The participants range from marine and freshwater biologists and other scientists to highly skilled recreational divers and documentary filmmakers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Iowa coach Ben McCollum said the first- and second-round showing for the conference speaks to its amount of skilled players and experienced coaches.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Gorton skillfully depicts the grueling decades-long struggle of Sanger (the icon, in this telling) and Dennett (the idealist) to make birth control available and legal, as well as their interpersonal competition for power and influence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
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Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 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,
24 Mar. 2026
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Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even if the film doesn’t co-sign her ideology, Ursula is the most nuanced of the ruthless killers, and Gellar is adept at digging into the character’s ambiguity and shifting priorities.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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The Padres have certainly proved adept at prospect churn.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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