masterly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈma-stər-lē How to pronounce masterly (audio)
Definition of masterlynext
1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skillful
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor a masterly handling of a complex topic in philosophy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

masterly

2 of 2

adverb

as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner a masterly executed somersault

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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 masterly
Adjective
Wolf Hall is the first — and my favorite — of the masterly trilogy which follows the rise of Thomas Crowell, advisor to Henry VIII. — Phillipa Gregory, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025 The masterly second installment of Wolf Hall retails permanent lessons in power. — Martha Bayles, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Les Bleus continue their masterly run through the World Cup, winning by multiple goals for the fifth time in six matches. — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026 At age 31, chef de cuisine at the restaurant Alain Ducasse (at the Essex House hotel in New York City), one of the city's finest establishments, Didier is a masterly cook with a rigorous classical training. — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
  1. virtuoso
  2. skillful
  3. masterfully
  4. masterful
  5. skilled
  6. skillfully
  7. expert
  8. adept
Adjective
  • Every day, the virtuoso violinist plays for an audience of travelers, with his stage in the pedestrian tunnel that links the CTA and parking garages to the terminals.
    — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Through 107 career games, Minten’s profile has leaned more toward dependable cello player than virtuoso first violinist.
    — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • But be that guy that can be skillful, a bruiser, fast and tough.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • As Musashi scrambles through a school of Samurai, the game seamlessly bounces between skillful swordplay, rowdy improvisation, and Looney Tunes-style levity.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of skillful
Adverb
  • Ahluwalia x Puma Blending the designer’s Indian-Nigerian culture with Puma’s legendary sportswear designs, this partnership masterfully resulted in a colorful, chic athleisure capsule.
    — Virginia Corneli, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The Soundcore Select 4 Go pairs an adventure-proof IP67 design with exceptional 20-hour battery life masterfully.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of masterfully
Adjective
  • Don't expect elaborate walkthroughs of the wine list or masterful mixology.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons was masterful, hitting numerous targets for completions in his best game yet for the Tigers.
    — Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • Guadagnino has always been skilled in his choice of music (Sufjan Stevens’ alt-pop in Call Me by Your Name, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ pounding EDM in Challengers).
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has added Podkolzin and traded for Howard in an effort to bring skilled youth to the roster.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of skilled
Adverb
  • Jay has always skillfully folded each turn into his larger mythology, going from drug dealer to rapper to label boss to executive with an air of inevitability, every choice subsumed into the glory of the hustle.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • These nine classics skillfully keep audiences guessing while depicting different kinds of waking nightmares, making the protagonists’ traumas our own for a few entertaining hours.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of skillfully
Adjective
  • Nonpartisan expert committees of educators and librarians select the books, nearly all published by Penguin Random House.
    — Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But my favorite detail is the return of the expert podracer Sebulba from The Phantom Menace.
    — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • The service Staff are adept at service that’s natural, but makes guests feel special.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Nicole Feng, Zhang's mother, said her son has become more adept at using AI tools to explore his own interests, such as aviation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of adept

Browse Nearby Words

masterliness
masterly
mastermind
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Cite this Entry

“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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