1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
a masterly executed somersault
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
His handling of her final moments, ultimately placing her calmly sitting on the edge of the stage, is masterly.
—David Benedict, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
The scene offered a preview of how perfectly Tennant’s Doctor would embody the duality of this hero through his three-plus seasons in the TARDIS — a masterly balance of stillness and chatter, heft and levity.
—Maya Phillips, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023
So, there is always another level to illusionism, another more masterly bit of deception.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Adjective
His accent was unaccented, and his biking around the city was masterly.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
His handling of her final moments, ultimately placing her calmly sitting on the edge of the stage, is masterly.
—David Benedict, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
The scene offered a preview of how perfectly Tennant’s Doctor would embody the duality of this hero through his three-plus seasons in the TARDIS — a masterly balance of stillness and chatter, heft and levity.
—Maya Phillips, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023
So, there is always another level to illusionism, another more masterly bit of deception.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
Adjective
-
His non-fiction book The Onion Field, published in 1973, would stand as, arguably, his literary masterpiece, a skillful telling of the true tale of a 1963 kidnapping of two LAPD officers and the brutal murder of one of them.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Hackman tamped down all of his gritty charm to embody a squirrely surveillance expert, again showcasing a skillful adaptability early in his career.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Her 36-piece against Duke earlier this month was masterful.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Although his counting stats faded in 2024, Sims was still masterful at limiting weak contact with his sweeper-heavy repertoire.—
Newsweek,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
For highly skilled job seekers, the choice is obvious.—
Sarah Elk,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Truly skilled, effective coaches don’t need to call their players names and berate them for messing up and know that doing so makes players afraid to take risks and be creative, critical parts of being a great soccer player.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Even if the response is led by the country in which the outbreak is happening, WHO provides expert advice and helps coordinate efforts.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Most expert bracketologists have Boise State just missing the field of 68.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In short, reviewing medical records and bills is a time-consuming, high-pressure task at which legal professionals are not adept.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Companies often assume that older workers are less adept at adapting to new technologies.—
Mona Mourshed,
Harvard Business Review,
25 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Takeaways Ohio State: The Buckeyes played well most of this season but struggled in every facet of the game — shooting, defense and rebounding — against the more motivated Bruins. UCLA: Coach Cori Close’s team came to Indy with a mission: getting another shot at the Trojans.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
-
This did not sit well with some district residents who showed up to protest the meeting outside the Keller Education Center.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Several Reddit users shared their own similar experiences of having their artistic efforts mistaken for AI.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
As artwork appreciates over time, proper planning becomes essential to preserve both artistic legacies and financial assets.—
Matthew F. Erskine,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 34% of eighth-grade students and 24% of twelfth-grade students are proficient in math, an essential engineering skill.—
Thomas Bostick,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
This company is specifically staffed with writers who are proficient in STEM and Ph.D.-level work.—
Rowan Briggs,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share