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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples 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 His contribution to literary culture was immense, both in his criticism and through his masterful and iconic novels which have already become classics. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025 Eggers’s direction is masterful and Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult deserve best actor noms. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2025 Reid is masterful at looking inward, analyzing his own team. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2025 Some of the most masterful kokedamas combine species to create tiny ecosystems or boast diverse floral arrangements, using plants in visually complementary and sculpturally-unique ways. Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for masterful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
Adjective
  • Yoon’s order faced fierce backlash from the public and lawmakers across the political spectrum, reviving painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past.
    Gawon Bae, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Yes, dollars circulated in authoritarian, murderous Syria because market goods did.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Teamsters officials later complained that Harris, who would go on to lose all seven battleground states, was arrogant in her dealings with them.
    W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Russia, Iran, and many other countries criticize U.S. military interventions as arrogant, ignorant of local context, and unable to fashion either stable regimes or effective security structures.
    Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The future in question is a refreshing discography of musical projects strung together by his soulful croons, innovative production tenets, and skillful storytelling rivaled only by his catalog itself.
    Kenneth J. Williams Jr., Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
  • To be good at Below Deck is to be skillful at two jobs, both the one on the boat and the one as a practitioner of the reality-television arts and sciences.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • For expert insight, Moriah spoke with interior designer Pamela O’ Brien.
    Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2025
  • These events highlight top tequilas through expert blind tastings, celebrating craftsmanship and quality.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The only thing left to contend with is her domineering mother, the formidable 90-year-old Lenore Simmons Krackenberry, who is obsessed with family lineage and Southern heritage.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Smith is fantastic and terrifying as Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, the stentorian nurse and housekeeper whose domineering overcautiousness feeds into all the self-pitying inclinations of her poor weakling charge Colin Craven.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • The matter is far from trivial: Sovereignty would give a country access to potentially significant oil, gas and rare earth resources, as well as superior scientific and military access to the future Transpolar Sea Route.
    Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Those who wanted to hear music like this could put on superior offerings from Lady Gaga or Kesha.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Managers in the solar industry are adept at making novice salespeople like Colvin push through the job’s darkness.
    Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The Phillies were fine with dedicating roughly 20 percent of their total outfield plate appearances (1,890) to a below-average hitter and adept defender in Rojas.
    Matt Gelb, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Visitors will be treated to a collection of global modern and contemporary art from circa 1960 onward, assembled from scratch and in a range of artistic media, with a focus on works from West Asia, North Africa and South Asia.
    Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Jan. 2025
  • For example, the master bedroom features an artistic skylight developed with historic Florentine master glassmakers Polloni and a painting representing the three Parches weaving the thread of life.
    Sandra Salibian, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near masterful

Cite this Entry

“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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