masterstroke

American  

[mas-ter-strohk, mah-ster-] / ˈmæs tərˌstroʊk, ˈmɑ stər- /

Or master stroke

noun

1. a masterly action or achievement; an extremely skillful or effective action.

   War was avoided by a masterstroke of diplomacy.

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masterstroke British  

/ ˈmɑːstəˌstrəʊk /

noun

1. an outstanding piece of strategy, skill, talent, etc

   your idea is a masterstroke

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Etymology

Origin of masterstroke

First recorded in 1670–80; master + stroke ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

masterstroke

Would Marmoush joining Tottenham be a masterstroke or risk?

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

On the 37th move of a Go game between one of the world’s best players and a computer program developed by Google’s DeepMind lab, the AI made an unconventional masterstroke to win the game.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

There was also a tactical masterstroke in the Club World Cup final, when an asymmetric overlapping full-back was introduced in Malo Gusto on the right.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

At the time it was billed as a public relations masterstroke for the monarchy, which was now modernizing by welcoming a mixed-race American celebrity into its ranks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

But it is the masterstroke of the green spot, shining like a beacon in the middle of her forehead, that conveys the anguish of the girl’s confrontation with her inner self.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson