as in classics
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 masterpieces
Museums & Cultural Landmarks Home to masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio and Mantegna, this elegant gallery is one of Italy’s most important art museums, located in the Brera district.
—
Photovogue, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
Twenty-four masterpieces, many rarely lent, were gathered from museums all over the world and brought together in the city where Caravaggio, born Michelangelo Merisi, arrived penniless in 1592.
—Nicole Krauss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
From quirky cabins to midcentury modern masterpieces All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026
This photo gallery captures the intricate chalk masterpieces and the crowds that gathered in downtown Lake Worth Beach for the final day of the two-day celebration of art and music.
—Joe Cavaretta, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
Turn your fingers into mini masterpieces with a full Monet-esque landscape.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
The Sistine Chapel is one of the great masterpieces of Renaissance art.
—Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
Preller’s past two trade deadlines have been masterpieces.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
It was written by Efthimis Filippou, who co-wrote most of Yorgos Lanthimos’s craziest pictures, and some viewers will immediately be reminded of Dogtooth and The Lobster, which happen to be masterpieces.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
Photovogue, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
Twenty-four masterpieces, many rarely lent, were gathered from museums all over the world and brought together in the city where Caravaggio, born Michelangelo Merisi, arrived penniless in 1592.
—Nicole Krauss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
From quirky cabins to midcentury modern masterpieces All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026
This photo gallery captures the intricate chalk masterpieces and the crowds that gathered in downtown Lake Worth Beach for the final day of the two-day celebration of art and music.
—Joe Cavaretta, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
Turn your fingers into mini masterpieces with a full Monet-esque landscape.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
The Sistine Chapel is one of the great masterpieces of Renaissance art.
—Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
Preller’s past two trade deadlines have been masterpieces.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
It was written by Efthimis Filippou, who co-wrote most of Yorgos Lanthimos’s craziest pictures, and some viewers will immediately be reminded of Dogtooth and The Lobster, which happen to be masterpieces.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterpieces
Noun
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Soon after, classics became increasingly embroiled in America’s culture wars.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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In 2026, drivers will find a fresh crop of modern classics alongside the time-capsule treasures.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Éliane Radigue, a French electronic composer behind multiple masterworks of musique concrète and minimalism, has died.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
24 Feb. 2026
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Burnett and Ross Buckley founded the chamber music collective here in 1994 and have since played chamber masterworks, commissioned new works and collaborated across genres.—
Beth Wood,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterpieces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterpieces. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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