1
as in proficiency
a highly developed skill in or knowledge of something
the exchange student returned from her year in Spain with a complete mastery of the language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in power
the right or means to command or control others
the British monarch has only token mastery over the citizens of the United Kingdom
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 mastery
The improvisational locavore mastery of Sharon Hage at York Street Cafe.
—
Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Orr hired Campbell away from Oregon, where the coach’s mastery in recruiting helped boost the Ducks to national prominence.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Over the decades that followed, Wong redefined the visual grammar of American cinema through his mastery of wide-angle lenses, low-key lighting techniques and his development of the crab dolly.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s too much change in the wind to make a forecast, but the Aztecs’ commitment to and mastery of defense, rebounding and culture should bode well.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastery
Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Orr hired Campbell away from Oregon, where the coach’s mastery in recruiting helped boost the Ducks to national prominence.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Over the decades that followed, Wong redefined the visual grammar of American cinema through his mastery of wide-angle lenses, low-key lighting techniques and his development of the crab dolly.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s too much change in the wind to make a forecast, but the Aztecs’ commitment to and mastery of defense, rebounding and culture should bode well.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastery
Noun
-
The driver had no valid commercial driver's license and could not meet the English language proficiency requirement.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers found that Latino students faced myriad challenges, including immigration issues, English proficiency and unstable housing that is linked to their parents’ employment status.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In a social media post on Monday morning, Kuwait said a service building at a power generation and water desalination plant were damaged in an attack Sunday evening, killing one worker.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In January, another Polymarket account won big by betting that Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, would soon be out of power.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The public displays of control are happening amid an internal bureaucratic collapse.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
But the major goal of the flight, along with putting the Orion through its paces, is to test the planning, procedures and flight control protocols for managing upcoming moon landing missions after a half-century gap between the Artemis and Apollo programs.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Then comes along Hail Project Mary to upend the prevailing theory that the multiplex has become the dominion of sequels, threequels and endless franchise installments.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Many key figures were associated with a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, which aims to establish Christian dominion over American society and government.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Control over the strait is now the regime’s greatest source of leverage, and the war’s outcome will depend chiefly on whether Iran still holds sway over it, and thus global energy markets.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Cook Islands, an archipelago of 15 islands in the vast South Pacific Ocean, is among many small nations in the region to be courted by Beijing, which has offered aid, loans and deals throughout the Pacific to increase its sway.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mastery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastery. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
