1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a masterful performance of a difficult piece for the violin
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around
a masterful coworker who liked to tell other people how to do their jobs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
a masterful businesswoman who didn't hesitate to step on a lot of people as she climbed the ladder of success
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in skillful
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
a president who was celebrated as a masterful communicator of his administration's policies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of masterful
All three are masterful actors who interact seamlessly and bring urgency, intensity and authenticity to their characters.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
From intricate trills and inner voices to grand scales and fiery fast notes, Barnatan gave a masterful performance, supported by a commanding presence from the orchestra, culminating in a final variation that doubled as a fever dream.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Mercedes-Benz’s dominance of Formula 1 in the 2010s—helmed by masterful driver Lewis Hamilton—is well known.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2026
Jin shows off his mesmerizing, masterful knife skills.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
From intricate trills and inner voices to grand scales and fiery fast notes, Barnatan gave a masterful performance, supported by a commanding presence from the orchestra, culminating in a final variation that doubled as a fever dream.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Mercedes-Benz’s dominance of Formula 1 in the 2010s—helmed by masterful driver Lewis Hamilton—is well known.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2026
Jin shows off his mesmerizing, masterful knife skills.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
Adjective
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The French Connection is now mostly remembered for its virtuoso chase scene and Gene Hackman’s charm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Slafkovský had two goals and an assist in a virtuoso performance, and Iowa Wild goaltender Samuel Hlavaj was sensational, stopping 39 of 40 shots, including an 18-save first period that gave his team belief that the improbable was possible.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Netflix’s domineering presence, one that permeated every corner of a typically sacred day at the ballpark, had mercifully evaporated.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Wrapping production last October, Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The rabbi is ornery, arrogant, sometimes cruel.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The invader is a skillful art restorer, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), who’s been hired by Julian’s greedy children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), to work, or pose, as their father’s new assistant.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Literary style and themes Critics have praised French’s novels for their vivid settings, psychologically nuanced characters, and skillful dialogue.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
By definition, regime change is systemic change – something that has yet to be seen in the Islamic Republic, which remains under the same authoritarian theocracy that has been in place since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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Stability without democracy is a replicable model that could normalize the management of useful authoritarian governments worldwide.—
Boris Muñoz,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This approach combines the superior surface properties of tungsten with the structural and economic advantages of other materials.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
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Why Office 2024 is superior Office 2024 keeps the core apps—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote—but improves performance from older lifetime licenses and adds practical upgrades.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Although Cleopatra and Nefertiti are more well-known, Hatshepsut stands out as one of the most skilled and successful female rulers of the ancient world.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
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Manufacturers and employers across diverse industries throughout our state rely on these institutions to educate engineers, health care professionals, teachers, data scientists and other skilled workers emerging from this talent pipeline.—
Mark Denzler,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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