as in masterpieces
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of masterworks
The attendees at the British Museum cocktail party, surrounded by masterworks of 20th-century art, couldn’t help but gush about one single gallery show on view in New York City.
—
Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
The Emiratis were paying the French $1 billion for the rights to the Louvre name, guidance on what art to buy, and loans of masterworks by Da Vinci, Matisse, and Van Gogh.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026
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
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
Programs pair masterworks with contemporary voices, highlighting throughlines between classical, jazz, folk and new music.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Photograph courtesy 2025 Adama Films / Shochiku Yasujirō Ozu, who made dozens of masterworks from the nineteen-thirties through the early sixties, is among the most misunderstood of great directors.
—Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
Whether you’re drawn to ancient history or Renaissance masterworks, each site rewards those who take their time.
—Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Formed in Berlin, the Notos Quartett is known for its wide-ranging repertoire, spanning classical masterworks, rediscovered treasures and contemporary compositions.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
The Emiratis were paying the French $1 billion for the rights to the Louvre name, guidance on what art to buy, and loans of masterworks by Da Vinci, Matisse, and Van Gogh.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026
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
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
Programs pair masterworks with contemporary voices, highlighting throughlines between classical, jazz, folk and new music.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Photograph courtesy 2025 Adama Films / Shochiku Yasujirō Ozu, who made dozens of masterworks from the nineteen-thirties through the early sixties, is among the most misunderstood of great directors.
—Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
Whether you’re drawn to ancient history or Renaissance masterworks, each site rewards those who take their time.
—Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Formed in Berlin, the Notos Quartett is known for its wide-ranging repertoire, spanning classical masterworks, rediscovered treasures and contemporary compositions.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterworks
masterpieces
Noun
-
The Neue Galerie is known for its deep holdings of German and Austrian modernist art, including masterpieces by Gustav Klimt, at least one of which is worth more than $100 million.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
14 May 2026
-
Each section of the flower show in Templars Hall, where entries are placed in categories, was adorned with small versions of masterpieces.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterworks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterworks. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
