Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

engineer

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of engineer

a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking

  • the engineer of a movement to eradicate hunger
Synonyms of engineer

architect, mastermind
Words Related to engineer

builder, maker, producer

captain, commander, director, handler, leader, manager, quarterback

contriver, designer, formulator, originator, spawner

arranger, hatcher, organizer, planner, plotter, schemer

finagler, machinator, maneuverer

developer, generator, inaugurator, initiator, inspirer, instituter (or institutor), pioneer

engineer

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of engineer

to plan out usually with subtle skill or care

  • the mayor engineered an agreement to have a major league team play in our city
Synonyms of engineer

contrive, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, mastermind, negotiate, wangle
Words Related to engineer

arrange, concert, conclude, hammer out, work out

angle (for), compass, intrigue, plot, scheme

connive

brew, concoct, cook (up), hatch

captain, command, conduct, direct, handle, manage, quarterback, run

gerrymander
Near Antonyms of engineer

blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff

Synonym Discussion of engineer

guide, lead, steer, pilot, engineer mean to direct in a course or show the way to be followed. guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.
    • guided the scouts through the cave
lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.
    • led his team to victory
steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.
    • steered the ship through a narrow channel
pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.
    • piloted the bill through the Senate
engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.
    • engineered his son's election to the governorship

Learn More about engineer

  1. See words that rhyme with engineer Dictionary: Definition of engineer Medical Dictionary: Definition of engineer Spanish Central: Translation of engineer Nglish: Translation of engineer for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of engineer for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up engineer? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games