-fəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English maisterful, from maister master + -ful — more at master
1.
a. : inclined to play the master
her mother was a masterful woman — R.W.Southern
no one thought of asking the masterful gentleman where his authority was — J.H.Wheelwright
b. : reflecting or suggesting an imperious or domineering character
a young maid who has masterful ways — E.K.Brown
his eyes were … enticing and masterful — Jack London
2. : marked by the display or qualities of vigor and power : vigorous , energetic
a masterful king who put down the lawless barons of the realm
an epoch of masterful national impulse — Francis Hackett
3. : having or reflecting the technical, artistic, or intellectual skill or power of a master : masterly
the beadwork of the tribes … is masterful — Juan Belaieff
written in masterful English — George Lenczowski
a masterful speaker who can move his audiences — R.D.Robinson
Synonyms:
domineering , imperious , peremptory , imperative : masterful suggests a capacity for commanding, compelling, and unruffled action or an ability to lead or command through strength, force, or skill
the strong, masterful personality of Holmes dominated the tragic scene, and all were equally puppets in his hands — A. Conan Doyle
she was ever a masterful woman, better fitted to command than to obey — H.O.Taylor
the major was a masterful man; and I knew that he would not give orders for nothing — Rudyard Kipling
domineering suggests attempts, successful or not, or desires, fulfilled or not, to subdue others by insolent or tyrannical behavior
the European nations, arrogant, domineering, and rapacious, have done little to recommend the name of Christianity in Asia and Africa — W.R.Inge
Gourlay had to pay for his years of insolence and tyranny; all who had irked beneath his domineering ways got their carrying done by Wilson — G.D.Brown
imperious suggests assumption with lordly arrogance and autocratic impatience at opposition of command and domination over others
he had to go. There was something final about her imperious courtesy — high-and-mighty, he called it — Willa Cather
a second Coriolanus, a proud, imperious aristocrat, contemptuous, above all men living, of popular rights — J.A.Froude
peremptory suggests dictatorial curtness in insisting on instant compliance with commands or wishes with impatience at delay or demur
the peremptory tone in which money was demanded for the cost of this fruitless march, while the petitions of the Parliament were set aside till it was granted, roused the temper of the Commons — J.R.Green
“I decline to listen to another word. I've heard enough.” The bishop accompanied the mandate by a peremptory gesture with the palm of the hand — Robert Grant †1940
imperative may be a close synonym for peremptory; it may be used in reference to urgent situations calling for firm briskness
“An envelope and telegram form, quick!” Overwhelmed by my imperative manner, he handed me the required articles — Allen Upward
he heard her imperative voice at the telephone; he heard her summon the doctor — Ellen Glasgow