master 1 of 3

noun

ˈma-stər How to pronounce master (audio)
Definition of masternext
1
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field a master at chess

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2
as in winner
one that defeats an enemy or opponent little did the tennis pro know that his new student would someday become his master

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3
as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do I'm the master of this operation, and you'll do what I say

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master

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in main
coming before all others in importance thought of themselves as belonging to humanity's master race

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2
as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor a master craftsman who makes fine wood furniture of his own designs

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master

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to defeat
to achieve a victory over finally mastered her longtime opponent at chess

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2
as in to learn
to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in I think I've mastered algebra at last

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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 master
Noun
For a master of chaos, MAH looks remarkably calm on a video call from his Tokyo studio. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026 Midleton Very Rare was first launched in 1984 by then master distiller Barry Crockett. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The new board will comprise 11 master sommeliers, plus four non-master sommelier members. — Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, 12 Nov. 2020 The interior features high ceilings, custom millwork, and walnut floors and paneling, and the master suite has his-and-her baths and closets, a sitting area, and a balcony. — TheWeek, 27 June 2020
Verb
Leighton is really mastering euphemistic phrasing this episode. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 Every generation has had to master the defining tools of its era. — Mary Moreland, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for master
Recent Examples of Synonyms for master
  1. expert
  2. winner
  3. leader
  4. main
  5. skilled
  6. defeat
  7. learn
  8. scholar
Noun
  • They are usually still protected by maternal antibodies, experts say.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Rockefeller Foundation has just published a policy proposal – developed in partnership with leading experts – that details how a Growth and Investment Reset could work.
    — Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of expert
Noun
  • The Brewers will face the winner of the ALCS — the Cleveland Guardians lead the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in the series — in the World Series, which begins next Friday in Milwaukee.
    — Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Shane Pinto scored the shootout winner to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of winner
Noun
  • Kabila's new Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, or FRN, includes rebel groups formerly united under the Congo River Alliance, whose former leader Corneille Nangaa will serve as one of the new coalition's two vice presidents.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • When even the CEOs of the companies leading the AI race warn of the risk of potentially losing control of their own technology, the need for leaders who approach its adoption with caution, accountability, and sound judgement has never been so clear.
    — Rumman Chowdhury, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of leader
Adjective
  • Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Minervini, a polished and skilled host, did good work in the Marlins studio for a quarter century.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Co-founder Bohdan Sas said the company is focusing on missions that place heavy demands on skilled operators, including reconnaissance, counter-drone defense and precision-strike assistance.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of skilled
Verb
  • Jackson was suspended for striking Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face after the Bills defeated the Rams, 37-34, in overtime on Monday night.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Voters, though, decisively defeated a repeal measure in 1942.
    — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Dazzle, the new venture, is a personal AI assistant that learns from the photos on a user’s phone, said Mayer.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Rilke writes about solitude, love, patience and learning to live with uncertainty.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of learn
Noun
  • Adding to the dark absurdity of the situation was the fact that Seghers’s husband, the Hungarian Marxist scholar László Radványi, was being held in a French internment camp, on the basis that Hungary was a German ally.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This includes — but is not limited to — professors, scholars, research assistants, students, teachers, au pairs and camp counselors.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of scholar

Phrases Containing master

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massy
master
mastered
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Cite this Entry

“Master.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/master. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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