mas·ter·mind
ˈma-stər-ˌmīnd 
ˌmas-tər-ˈ
: a person who supplies the directing or creative intelligence for a project
masterminded; masterminding; masterminds
: to be the mastermind of
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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2026
Moriarty is a Professor of Criminal Psychology at Durham University but leads a secret double life as the mastermind behind every crime of sophistication in the North of England.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
He had been tried in absentia and convicted in dozens of murders, including helping to mastermind a pair of 1992 bombings that killed top anti-Mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
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Noun
The mastermind behind it all is chef Keiko Kuwakino, who has previously won the Niigata Gastronomy Award’s Best Female Chef honor.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2026
Moriarty is a Professor of Criminal Psychology at Durham University but leads a secret double life as the mastermind behind every crime of sophistication in the North of England.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Verb
The manager who masterminded the FA Cup win last season and the player who scored the winning goal in the UEFA Conference League final took a moment to appreciate each other and let reality sink in.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
He had been tried in absentia and convicted in dozens of murders, including helping to mastermind a pair of 1992 bombings that killed top anti-Mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastermind. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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