as in classic
something (as a work of art) that is a great achievement and often its creator's greatest achievement
Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are often considered to be his masterpieces
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Recent Examples of masterpiece
Arthur Miller’s masterpiece is one of those Mount Everests for American stage directors — a legacy-building challenge that invites comparisons with the all-time greats.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Two years ago in Cleveland, another Game 7, another 38-point masterpiece, another loss.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Irises are a symbol of courage and hope—and Van Gogh’s masterpiece evokes vitality, decay, and the cycle of life itself.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 May 2026
The revitalization of the defensive line turned out to be a masterpiece, in retrospect, rolling eight deep with legitimate threats against the run and pass.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for masterpiece
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Two years ago in Cleveland, another Game 7, another 38-point masterpiece, another loss.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Irises are a symbol of courage and hope—and Van Gogh’s masterpiece evokes vitality, decay, and the cycle of life itself.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 May 2026
The revitalization of the defensive line turned out to be a masterpiece, in retrospect, rolling eight deep with legitimate threats against the run and pass.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for masterpiece
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterpiece
Noun
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Into that landscape comes Fred Cavayé’s Les Misérables, a new action-skewed adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic about crime, justice and redemption, starring Vincent Lindon as Jean Valjean and Tahar Rahim as the relentless Inspector Javert.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
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Atlanta's vibrant food scene offers diners so much more than comfort food classics (although top-notch versions of chicken, biscuits, and all the fixings can be found here, certainly), and leaving the city without tucking into an unforgettable meal should be criminal.—
Mike Jordan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 May 2026
Noun
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True to her intention, Kouzeh has no tables as of yet, only the counter full of her masterworks, now numbering around 25, with a short menu of coffee and aromatic teas.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
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Made from a biodegradable plastic and available in a variety of finishes that include lacquer, bronze, and a stone-like lyme, these armless, headless pieces—which start at $850 and can exceed $5,500 for solid bronze—recall masterworks like the Aphrodite of Cyrene.—
Elizabeth Kiefer,
Architectural Digest,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterpiece.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterpiece. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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