as in architect
a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking
the real mastermind behind the embezzlement scheme
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to engineer
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
he was charged with masterminding a plan to redecorate the suite of offices without seriously disrupting business operations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mastermind
Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
An official video, which has since been taken down, showed a vibrant spectacle of fireworks being unleashed from the top of a mountain, forming a winding line that Cai – the mastermind behind 2008 Beijing Olympic Games’ fireworks display – likened to a dragon.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The villa has a pool, a gym, a spa, plus an eclectic mix of artworks from Erozan’s private collection, but the bespoke dining – masterminded by celebrity chef Carlo Bernardini, who has flown in to join us – is the real star.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
Dobbertin is a three-time James Beard semifinalist and the mastermind behind Asian American hit Best Quality Daughter.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
An official video, which has since been taken down, showed a vibrant spectacle of fireworks being unleashed from the top of a mountain, forming a winding line that Cai – the mastermind behind 2008 Beijing Olympic Games’ fireworks display – likened to a dragon.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Polk, a longtime business partner of Jordan who was vice chairman of Hornets Sports & Entertainment when Jordan was the NBA team’s majority owner, is depicted as masterminding efforts to undermine NASCAR.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The villa has a pool, a gym, a spa, plus an eclectic mix of artworks from Erozan’s private collection, but the bespoke dining – masterminded by celebrity chef Carlo Bernardini, who has flown in to join us – is the real star.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
-
The company in February 2016 had torn down the three historic Green Gables apartments, built in 1927 by architect Nelle Peters, after the buildings, west of the Country Club Plaza, had fallen into disrepair.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Philosophy often glorifies the builders of grand systems — the bold architects of thought who draw sweeping maps of reality.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Blue Water Autonomy’s unmanned surface vessels are engineered for long-endurance deployments with thousands of nautical miles of range.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The transfer from Tulsa blessed with a nice arm and fast feet has engineered two consecutive victories and will start his third consecutive game on Saturday night when Cal Poly of San Luis Obispo visits Hornet Stadium for a Big Sky Conference opener.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The deal was negotiated by Piantedosi and Manager of Acquisitions and Sales Rachel White on behalf of Vertical and by CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The Obama Administration secretly negotiated the Iran nuclear deal without consulting GCC capitals.—
Firas Maksad,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, the game rights change is contingent on the larger ESPN-NFL deal passing Department of Justice review, which seems increasingly unlikely to come before the NFL plots its 2026 calendar.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Well, on one hand, Annie was already plotting against Jake and Alex.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Julie asked Jimmy Heagerty about where things stood with Mickey Lee, and Jimmy said Morgan did a great job manipulating Mickey into sending him home.—
David Wysong,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
29 Sep. 2025
-
With its flexible solvers, Newton allows developers to simulate complex, real-world tasks ranging from walking on snow and gravel to manipulating fragile objects like cups and fruit.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The continual delays have led to many embarrassing moments, the most recent coming last Tuesday, when, after Barca officials told the media the Camp Nou was ready, the Barcelona city council arranged a press conference of their own in reply.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
For the Rolliefest finale, Hess and his team of organizers arranged a farewell cocktail party in the winter garden of the new private residences at the Waldorf Astoria, fresh off an almost-eight-year, multibillion dollar restoration.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But because so much less is known about what made Gein tick than the motivations of Dahmer and the Menendezes, Hunnam had room to maneuver and to invent.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Over the first three frames, Wentz was unable to maneuver around traffic in the pocket.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share