as in masterpiece
something (as a work of art) that is a great achievement and often its creator's greatest achievement
his most famous novel is regarded as a masterwork of Western literature
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Recent Examples of masterwork
Even in Thalberg’s truncation, the movie is a masterwork, its overwhelming profusion of detail matched by the angular tension of Stroheim’s images.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
These two architectural masterworks are separated by two hours on the TGV, but the otherworldliness of La Tourette makes the trip interstellar.
—Vishaan Chakrabarti, Air Mail, 17 Jan. 2026
Sales come and go, and with them masterworks of every style, size, medium, and era.
—Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
Park Chan-wook’s latest masterwork is a wicked comedy of capitalism and homicide.
—Ty Burr, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masterwork
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
These two architectural masterworks are separated by two hours on the TGV, but the otherworldliness of La Tourette makes the trip interstellar.
—Vishaan Chakrabarti, Air Mail, 17 Jan. 2026
Sales come and go, and with them masterworks of every style, size, medium, and era.
—Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
Park Chan-wook’s latest masterwork is a wicked comedy of capitalism and homicide.
—Ty Burr, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masterwork
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterwork
masterpiece
Noun
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Don't just come for the shows; the building itself is an architectural masterpiece, hosting a lively mix of exhibitions and performances in its atrium.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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Work has accelerated on Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece since 1882, driven largely by millions of annual tourists whose entrance fees fund ongoing construction.—
Suman Naishadham,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterwork. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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