1 masterful | Definition of masterful
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masterful

adjective
mas·​ter·​ful | \ ˈma-stÉ™r-fÉ™l How to pronounce masterful (audio) \

Definition of masterful

1a : inclined and usually competent to act as master
b : suggestive of a domineering nature
2 : having or reflecting the power and skill of a master
Other Words from masterful Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Masterful vs. Masterly: Usage Guide Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about masterful

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Other Words from masterful

masterfully \ ˈma-​stÉ™r-​fÉ™-​lÄ“ How to pronounce masterfully (audio) \ adverb
masterfulness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for masterful

masterful, domineering, imperious, peremptory, imperative mean tending to impose one's will on others. masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively. her masterful personality soon dominated the movement domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will. children controlled by domineering parents imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance. an imperious executive used to getting his own way peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent. given a peremptory dismissal imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate. an imperative appeal for assistance

Masterful vs. Masterly: Usage Guide

Some commentators insist that use of masterful should be limited to its early "domineering" sense in order to preserve a distinction between it and masterly. The distinction is a modern one, excogitated by a 20th century pundit in disregard of the history of the word. Both words developed in a parallel manner but the earlier sense of masterly, equivalent to the "domineering" sense of masterful, dropped out of use. Since masterly had but one sense, the pundit opined that it would be tidy if masterful were likewise limited to one sense and he forthwith condemned use of masterful to mean "having mastery" as an error. This later sense of masterful, which is slightly older than the sense of masterly intended to replace it, has continued in reputable use all along; it cannot rationally be called an error.

Did You Know?

Some commentators insist that masterful must only mean "domineering," reserving the "expert, skillful" sense for masterly. The distinction is a modern one. In earlier times, the terms were used interchangeably, with each having both the "domineering" and "expert" senses. The "domineering" sense of masterly fell into disuse around the 18th century, however, and in the 20th century the famous grammarian H. W. Fowler decided that masterful should be similarly limited to a single meaning. He summarily ruled that the "expert" definition of masterful was incorrect. Other usage writers followed his lead. But the "expert" meaning of masterful has continued to flourish in standard prose in spite of the disapproval, and, considering the sense's long history, it cannot really be called an error.

Examples of masterful in a Sentence

His manner was masterful and abrupt. a masterful work of art He did a masterful job of staying out of trouble.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 But the way Bunin has his passengers almost desperately improvise an idealized, inventively detailed possible future for TJ is masterful. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Funny and moving, La Jolla Playhouse’s ‘The Coast Starlight’ proves a memorable journey," 27 Aug. 2019 The special visual effects, including seamless computer imagery and digitalization, are masterful. — Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Armageddon': THR's 1998 Review," 1 July 2019 Steve Stone’s dissection of Cole Hamels, for instance, was masterful. — Tim Bannon, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs-White Sox series winners and losers: WGN, Willson Contreras, first pitches, Catalina Club, Hawk Harrelson fans," 19 June 2019 Uzo Aduba won the dramedy’s only acting Emmys, while Emmy-nominee Laverne Cox, Danielle Brooks, Samira Wiley and Dascha Polanco all gave masterful performances that lifted their careers far beyond life in Litchfield federal penitentiary. — Washington Post, "‘Orange is the New Black’ leaves legacy for women of color," 10 July 2019 Uzo Aduba won the dramedy’s only acting Emmys, while Emmy-nominee Laverne Cox, Danielle Brooks, Samira Wiley, and Dascha Polanco all gave masterful performances that lifted their careers far beyond life in Litchfield federal penitentiary. — Leanne Italie, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Orange Is the New Black’ leaves legacy for women of color," 10 July 2019 This might be one problem that even his masterful TV performances cannot solve. — Jennifer Rubin, The Denver Post, "Rubin: Who’s rising, who’s falling and who’s invisible," 24 June 2019 Bigger picture: Miller’s masterful performance arguably makes the Cardinals’ fifth trip to college baseball’s championship more promising than any of those that preceded it. — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "As Louisville baseball heads to the College World Series, their pitching depth shines," 8 June 2019 Stephen Curry struggled from the field in Game 4 after a masterful performance in Wednesday's loss. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "Kawhi Leonard, Raptors Roar Past Warriors to Take Commanding 3-1 Series Lead," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'masterful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of masterful

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for masterful

masterful

adjective
How to pronounce masterful (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of masterful

: able to take control of people or situations
: very skillful

See the full definition for masterful in the English Language Learners Dictionary

masterful

adjective
mas·​ter·​ful | \ ˈma-stÉ™r-fÉ™l How to pronounce masterful (audio) \

Kids Definition of masterful

1

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