masterful

adjective

ˈma-stər-fəl How to pronounce masterful (audio)
Definition of masterfulnext
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

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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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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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Synonym Chooser

How is the word masterful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of masterful are domineering, imperative, imperious, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

When could domineering be used to replace masterful?

The words domineering and masterful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

When is imperative a more appropriate choice than masterful?

While in some cases nearly identical to masterful, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

In what contexts can imperious take the place of masterful?

In some situations, the words imperious and masterful are roughly equivalent. However, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

When is it sensible to use peremptory instead of masterful?

Although the words peremptory and masterful have much in common, peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

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 masterful And after shutting out the Harbormen in the semifinals, the Bulldogs (16-1) were masterful again on defense against the previously unbeaten Redmen (16-1-1), allowing just 13 shots on goal to finish the three-round tournament with one goal allowed. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026 Once masterful on breakouts and ironclad in individual battles, Doughty has dipped in both areas. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026 Take last Sunday’s historic Grammy Album of the Year win, which made his masterful LP Debi Tirar Mas Fotos the first all-Spanish-language album to win in the category. —Vanessa Diaz, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2026 The casitas feel remarkably private thanks to some masterful landscaping—even though many are physically close to the small roads they are located on, dense walls of foliage effectively screen them from anyone passing by. —John Newton, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for masterful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
  1. virtuoso
  2. domineering
  3. arrogant
  4. skillful
  5. expert
  6. authoritarian
  7. superior
  8. skilled
Adjective
  • McIntosh, a brilliant composer who has a sideline as a virtuoso early-music violinist, revelled in the microtonal shadings that Feldman built into his notation.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Six points clear of Manchester City and Villa, Arsenal can boast form and — for the first time in a while — fitness, with Declan Rice marking his return to the lineup with a virtuoso two-goal display against Bournemouth.
    — Jack Bantock, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • Even though Kenneth was the one to shoot Sheridan, both the jury and the judge accepted the prosecution's argument that Ronald was the domineering brother and had planned and directed the killing.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • In the movie, set in medieval England, Anne (Turner) and her domineering mother-in-law, Morwen (Gay Harden), struggle to survive on the outskirts of society.
    — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • He is paired with an arrogant young partner (Lou), a second-generation political scion whose personality clashes sharply with his own.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
  • In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Elegant materials, bespoke furnishings, skillful layering of textures, and eye-catching lighting are all hallmarks of Hogarty’s soulful spaces, and the firm seeks to create an emotional response with its polished yet comfortable aesthetic.
    — Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
  • During her tenure at UTA, her skillful agenting has shaped and built the careers of so many iconic talents.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of skillful
Adjective
  • Individuals facing removal proceedings, green card delays or asylum applications benefit from expert legal help.
    — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone February 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
  • For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • In other words, diaspora activists may advocate positions that resonate with Western audiences, but find little support among those actually living under authoritarian rule.
    — Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Trump’s steamrolling of anything, including the Constitution, that might impede his authoritarian project has made the limpness of the Democratic opposition more conspicuous.
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • High-resistivity wafers enter the high-level injection regime more readily than low-resistivity ones, a physical characteristic that underlies their superior intrinsic potential for achieving high fill factors.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Alas, the reality of sports demands that true greatness is measured only on the biggest stage, where the physical strength and innate talent gifted to every superior athlete takes a backseat to mental fortitude.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of superior
Adjective
  • The pyramids, the temples, the stunning gold jewelry found in royal tombs — all of these marvels depended on practical, everyday tools wielded by skilled hands.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
  • There’s a shortage of skilled workers who have both the manual skills and the organizational skills needed for the sector, and there’s also competition among companies for warehouse personnel based on pay, benefits, lifestyle and more.
    — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of skilled

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masterful
masterfully
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Cite this Entry

“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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