MASTERLY Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

masterly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈma-stər-lē

Definition of masterly

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

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

masterly

2 of 2

adverb

as in masterfully

in a skillful or expert manner a masterly executed somersault

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

As Musashi scrambles through a school of Samurai, the game seamlessly bounces between skillful swordplay, rowdy improvisation, and Looney Tunes-style levity.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
The English Understand Wool is skillful, funny, and exposes, through twists and turns, the quirks and peculiarities of the privileged, of celebrity, and the publishing world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of skillful

Adverb

Turning for home, jockey Manny Franco masterfully guided Leading Change off the rail and into the clear outside the still leading Napoleon.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
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

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

Medicare may cover up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility following a qualifying hospital stay, according to KFF.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Tennis phenom Naomi Osaka is known not just as one of the sport’s most skilled players, but as one of its most boundary-pushing style stars.

— Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 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

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masterliness

masterly

mastermind

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Style

“Masterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterly. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of masterly

adjective

adverb

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