Synonyms for masterly
- adjective
- adverb
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Masterful — executed in the manner of a master; showing competence and skill; masterful
masterful, consummate, skillful US, skilful UK, adroit, dexterous, dextrous UK, deft, expert, virtuoso, skilled, excellent, proficient, clever, adept, artistic, capable, accomplished, competent, professional, finished, quick, able, apt
2. Despotic — like a master; arbitrary; domineering, imperious
Adverb
skillfully US, skilfully UK, expertly
Definitions
- adj. 1
Executed in the manner of a master; showing competence and skill; masterful.
Her years of experience enabled her to render a masterly performance.
- adj. 2
Like a master; arbitrary; domineering, imperious.
Related words
- Phrases
- masterly inactivity
Example sentences
- consummate He is a consummate professional in his field.
- adroit Kaya was rather adroit at managing conflicts between her employees.
- dexterous The robotic hands are designed to be dexterous, soft and delicate like people.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| masterly | falling | |
| masterful | rising | |
| consummate | rising | |
| adroit | falling | |
| dexterous | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- apt1
- 4 letters
- able2, deft1
- 5 letters
- quick1, adept2
- 6 letters
- expert2, clever2, adroit2
- 7 letters
- capable3, skilled1, skilful
- 8 letters
- finished2, artistic3, skillful2, virtuoso4, expertly3, despotic3, dextrous2
- 9 letters
- excellent3, competent3, masterful3, skilfully, dexterous
- 10 letters
- proficient3, consummate3, skillfully3
- 11 letters
- overbearing4
- 12 letters
- professional4, accomplished3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (able2 = 2 syllables).