PAST MASTER Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

past master

noun

Definition of past master

as in expert

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field a movie director who was widely regarded as the past master of suspense

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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 past master There is a certainty to her sentences that sets her alongside past masters (your William Trevors, your Anton Chekhovs) and a singular beauty to her observations. — Tomi Obaro, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024 And he is positioned as the chief foreign luminary at the festival’s anniversary tribute to past master Ozu Yasujiro. — Mark Schilling, Variety, 23 Oct. 2023 The fact that the company is designing a standalone robotaxi speaks to its failures in executing past master plans. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 28 Feb. 2023 Does this past master of starting crazes see the Reddit phenomenon as a long-overdue democratization of the stock market, or a frenzy detached from the fundamentals of investing? — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2021 Wonder, a past master of love songs, makes a demand that tests the output of every contemporary pop singer and every jaded fan. — Armond White, National Review, 25 Nov. 2020 When the ensemble made its first national tour, playing Orchestra Hall in September 1992, Marsalis and friends were trying to show that America needed a world-class jazz orchestra that could honor past masters while forging future ones. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 16 Nov. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for past master

Noun

Despite growing speculation, experts caution that many details surrounding the J-36 remain based on open-source imagery rather than official disclosures.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Christina Giaquinto is an organizing expert and spiritual life coach who served as a brand ambassador and organizing expert for Modular Closets.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of expert

Noun

The scent, built around the traditionally feminine note of vanilla, was created by DSM-Firmenich master perfumers Nathalie Lorson and Alberto Morillas.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026
Williamson earned bachelor’s degrees in English and political science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, before completing a master’s degree in criminal justice while living in Germany.

— Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of master

Noun

Other interviewed legal scholars note the obvious conflict of interest of having a DA’s office investigate itself — and wonder about the lack of an independent investigation.

— The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026
Malonga spoke of these students as not just scholars, but future diplomats for African cooking.

— Alicia Erickson, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of scholar

Noun

Lest things get predictable, Tasjan’s adept at letting the music battle with the lyrics in a way that hints at how any experience is far more complex than we are led to believe.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026
Tech pioneer adept at shifting gears Atom Power was co-founded in 2015 by Kouroussis and Ryan Kennedy as a UNC Charlotte incubator, a project that started at the college before spinning off its own company and moving to the Lake Norman area.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026

Definition of adept

Noun

Food and drink Chefs Loice Acom and Gad Hafashimana are wizards in the Kibale Lodge kitchen.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
Balloons float above an exploding castle, a giant peeks from behind the bushes and wizards throw flames in the foreground.

— Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026

Definition of wizard

Noun

Each band member was a virtuoso on his instrument, four guys creating something compelling on their own, but fitting together like a super-sonic Tetris puzzle.

— Jonathan Schwartz, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
Jones eventually embraced a broad swath of influences ranging from the inimitable Stevie Wonder to prog-rock virtuoso Keith Emerson.

— Dave Gil De Rubio, Daily News, 14 July 2026

Definition of virtuoso

Noun

McRae Art Studios, a collective of 22 working artists in Central Florida, is welcoming the community into its doors for an annual fundraiser and sale of affordable art during the organization’s 40th anniversary.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
How many more artists, realistically, will come from the mud, perform locally, and find themselves in the right place at the right time?

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of artist

Noun

Alas, that is yesterday’s news as Peralta can look forward to joining a stellar rotation and coaching staff that includes pitching guru Kyle Snyder.

— Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Our business guru Dade Hayes notes that the Walking Dead renewal comes amid heightened investor scrutiny of engagement on Netflix, with question marks over ratings declines in the second seasons of original shows.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 July 2026

Definition of guru

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pastings

past master

past masters

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“Past master.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past%20master. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of past master

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