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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
a masterly executed somersault
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of masterly
Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2019
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
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Adjective
The authors of this concise and masterly introduction to the topic go some way toward filling that gap.
—Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2019
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
See All Example Sentences for masterly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterly
Adjective
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The more success rolled, the more damage done, the more skillful the hack and so on.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Powell, skillful at opaque Fed-speak, nonetheless signaled a simulative change is likely.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Yet this infectious look into the masterful brain of the single mom and former police department cleaning woman — who earned her job as an LAPD crime consultant — propelled the freshman series into one of broadcast TV's few bright spots.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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Whether this is a real departure or a masterful storyline, the wrestling world is now buzzing.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The team must be skilled in rigorous experimentation to enable translation of data into meaningful insights.—
Mohit Agrawal,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The company could also serve as a magnet for high skilled and high wage labor and lead to spinoff companies, the city’s presentation said.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 Aug. 2025
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Send your questions below, and Ben will be online to offer his expert insight from 1pm-2pm UK time (8am-9am ET).—
Ben Dinnery,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But Kravitz bucks this notion, proving that his adept songwriting skills translate even four decades later.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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Tost is also adept at setting Penny Jo loose in a world full of lethally ambitious schemers, many more obviously lethal than she.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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The flagship building on the campus is a time capsule as well.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Aug. 2025
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There are other funds as well, including one from Southern California Edison, which has acknowledged that its transmission lines may have started the fires.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The digital space allowed global buyers to experience artistic narratives before the building’s completion, offering a preview of the beautiful lifestyle awaiting them in Miami.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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The choir's artistic director, Ralf Schmitt, says the band's surviving members and the Mercury Phoenix Trust gave their blessing.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Raheem Sterling, who arrived at Manchester City in 2015 from Liverpool as a creative wide dribbler, became one of the most proficient goalscorers from the wing in Premier League history in his prime under Pep Guardiola, and Johnson’s career could be on course to follow a similar path.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
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Just 9% of fourth-graders tested scored at or above the proficient reading level, down from 12% in 2022.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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