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
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Superman won’t break any major domestic records for Gunn as a director, who is best known for being the mastermind behind Marvel’s blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
semafor.com, 11 July 2025
And this wasn’t just a one-off experiment of sorts masterminded by a single designer, either.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
Of course, Johnson was the mastermind behind the Detroit Lions' powerful offense.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Superman won’t break any major domestic records for Gunn as a director, who is best known for being the mastermind behind Marvel’s blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
Verb
Three men were found guilty of arson in the UK this week for burning down a warehouse containing supplies for Ukraine; prosecutors said it was masterminded by Russian intelligence services.
—semafor.com, 11 July 2025
And this wasn’t just a one-off experiment of sorts masterminded by a single designer, either.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
-
The Heritage Foundation was the primary architect behind Project 2025, a comprehensive conservative blueprint for Republican presidential administrations.—
Adeola Adeosun
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Think of the master craftsman, the brilliant researcher, the software architect who makes magic happen.—
Medhat Zaki,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This is precisely why some companies are back in the lab to engineer new combustion-free ways to consume flower.—
Benjamin Adams,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
So, unlike actual gutter guards, which are engineered with filtration and water flow in mind, a pool noodle has no way to prevent buildup.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Brokers and dealers working more like Reynier in the days of La Réserve would take small parcels from the secondary market or negotiate parcels directly with distilleries.—
Mark Littler,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
President Donald Trump ordered federal employees back to the office five days a week in January, though many had negotiated remote work arrangements and some had even moved far away from their offices.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
At a news conference Wednesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleged the two men plotted robberies over WhatsApp the day of the shooting and rode into the park on a moped at around 11:45 p.m., first targeting a 39-year-old woman sitting on a bench, grabbing her phone.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The tycoon, who is used to ruthlessly controlling everything and everyone around him at any cost, is also secretly plotting a major decision on his daughter’s behalf.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can't be manipulated for political purposes.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can’t be manipulated for political purposes.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As a fixer, Miguel has arranged interviews with El Mayo’s inner circle.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Interested buyers, their representatives or brokers can arrange for special tours.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Other powerful figures are also maneuvering for position, among them: National Assembly leader Adama Bictogo, who fought fire with fire to win the Yopougon municipal election, as well as Cissé Ibrahim Bacongo, governor of Abidjan and executive secretary of the governing coalition.—
Joël Té-Léssia Assoko,
semafor.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Each one knows how to maneuver in tight spaces, stay calm in loud situations, smile, play instruments, and adapt to anything.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share