mastermind

1 of 2

noun

mas·​ter·​mind ˈma-stər-ˌmīnd 

ˌmas-tər-ˈ

: a person who supplies the directing or creative intelligence for a project

mastermind

2 of 2

verb

masterminded; masterminding; masterminds

transitive verb

: to be the mastermind of

Synonyms of mastermind

Noun

• architect
• engineer

Verb

• engineer
• negotiate
• plot
• manipulate
• arrange
• maneuver

Examples of mastermind in a Sentence

Noun

the mastermind behind the terrorist plot

the real mastermind behind the embezzlement scheme

Verb

They masterminded a unique solution to the problem.

He masterminded the bank robbery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Four suspects pleaded guilty, including mastermind David Voss, and Benji admitted guilt and had his case administered through a First Nations restorative justice program, while charges against two were dropped, CityNews notes. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Both sources told me planning for the operation was halted in July, when Zelensky abruptly fired its mastermind, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Davis was arrested in 2023 and indicted for masterminding the killing and providing the gun. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Olivier Echaudemaison, who masterminded makeup for some of the most storied French luxury houses, died early Wednesday at age 84. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1872, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mastermind

• countersigned
• disinclined
• humankind
• interlined
• intertwined
• misaligned
• nonaligned
• predefined
• realigned
• reassigned
• recombined
• redefined

Kids Definition

mastermind

noun

mas·​ter·​mind

ˈmas-tər-ˌmīnd, 

ˌmas-tər-ˈmīnd

: a person who invents or directs a project

mastermind verb