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
  • The 2003 recording that appears on 2009’s The Live Anthology box set is eight minutes long, with a virtuoso performance by keyboardist Benmont Tench on the lengthy instrumental bridge.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The visual essay below features virtuoso examples of the techniques that designers have used to replicate the ideals of classical dress over the years, including draping, pleating, twisting, and wrapping.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • Making robots skillful The second stage introduces a latent diffusion model, which gives BeyondMimic its ability to generate and combine movements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Fortunately, her protégées—her grandnieces and other female students in the village—are skillful artists in their own right.
    — Marisol Delarosa, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of skillful
Adverb
  • Yet Parton masterfully stayed out of every fight in the culture wars, preaching love, philanthropy, mentorship and tolerance until her dying breath.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Every spoonful is masterfully balanced, slicking your lips with moreish flavor.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of masterfully
Adjective
  • Fighting my way through the pack to earn just enough points to cross the threshold into the next round had the same thrill as Mario Kart World's masterful Knockout Tour mode.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The world will remember Dolly Parton as many things – a masterful songwriter, a pioneering businesswoman and a mother figure.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • There are economic repercussions; sure, robots could build houses, but what happens to all the skilled carpenters?
    — Jeff Haden, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Heather McKenzie, who works in labor relations in Lincoln, said putting more data centers in Nebraska can slow an exodus of skilled young people leaving the state.
    — Will Weissert, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of skilled
Adverb
  • My servers, Simon Yun and Michael Richards, skillfully handled busy dining rooms from the first seating on a Friday evening to the last seating on a Tuesday night.
    — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • At this unassuming spot in Jardim Botânico, Sudbrack skillfully uses a traditional clay oven to draw remarkable flavors from the simplest of seasonal, fresh, and local ingredients.
    — Mikael Castro, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of skillfully
Adjective
  • The jury sat through about a month of evidence, including physical exhibits, medical testimony and expert psychiatric analysis.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sign up to get expert tips on the best of Southern California's beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains in your inbox every Thursday.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • Of course, DreamDrive is also adept at dealing with Los Angeles traffic jams.
    — Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Mythos is adept at spotting cyber vulnerabilities, which showed what Kurtz had been saying all along that companies can't deploy AI and then get AI to protect their systems.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 27 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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