1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory
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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
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
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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
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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
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From Broderick Turner: James Harden was masterful in pouring in 50 points for a Clippers team that once again has endured a slew of injuries at the most inopportune time.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2025
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Three members of the ‘Crab Five’ delivered the flavor Queen, the freshman from Baltimore, was masterful in the second half for Maryland, scoring 13 of his points in the period.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The best communicators are not just skilled speakers but also active listeners who understand the deeper layers of interaction.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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For those keeping track, her character – a highly skilled assassin – was a fundamental part of the superhero team known as the Avengers who gave her life in order to procure an Infinity Stone which ultimately defeated extraterrestrial supervillain Thanos and saved the universe.—
Dan Heching,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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All expert recommendations were derived from interviews.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Iran, for example, is expert at picking the winners of Iraqi elections.—
Michael Knights,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In many ways, the Fords were proto-Trumps, proving adept at turning private scandal into surprising public popularity.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
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The mere act of displaying a series of steps should not be confused with being adept at choosing steps and making sure that the appropriate steps are being utilized.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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Like most ambitious turkey hunters, Rone was in the woods well before daylight on opening day.—
Alice Jones Webb,
Outdoor Life,
21 Mar. 2025
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Few figures embody this principle better than Steve Jobs, whose narrative of innovation, resilience, and reinvention continues to inspire long after his passing.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Bernstein, an outspoken American Jewish conductor renowned for iconic compositions like West Side Story and Candide, was widely admired for his artistic genius and fervent political activism, including marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr during the 1960s.—
Court Stroud,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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But the types of artistic mediums that the series uses to portray Lumon varies and evolves, as the company itself finds new opportunities to convey its message to employees.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Six in 10 fourth graders aren't proficient in math, and seven in 10 can't read at the 4th grade level.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
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According to Illinois State Board of Education 2024 data, 37% of District 205 students are proficient in English/language arts and 38% are proficient in math.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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