MASTERMIND Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

mastermind 1 of 2

noun

ˈma-stər-ˌmīnd

Definition of mastermind

as in architect

a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking the real mastermind behind the embezzlement scheme

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mastermind

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

Noun

Recently, he’s been following the reaction to musician Stella Lefty, who has been subject to accusations of plagiarism and nepotism — some people going so far as to claim that her father, Eric Lefkofsky, was somehow an AI mastermind of her career. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 So the idea was having Bernadette really be the mastermind of John’s upbringing as a way to provide a simultaneous salve for her husband’s shame about being afraid about losing out on the opportunity. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Verb

Morris Katz, a young Democratic strategist who helped mastermind the candidacy of Zohran Mamdani (and Graham Platner), met Jentleson during Fetterman’s 2022 Senate campaign. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026 For decades, the prevailing story of the Manson murders held that Charles Manson masterminded a murderous plot to ignite a race war inspired by the Beatles. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mastermind

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind

Noun

An architect’s struggle with Nevada’s state licensing board raises a broader question about how to regulate industry.

— Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
Rising construction costs forced Donnelly and architect Ryan Perella to keep the backyard guesthouse simple, using budget-conscious finishes such as polished concrete floors and wood countertops.

— Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of architect

Verb

Each crane also required 10 custom connections to the building, engineered to meet local seismic requirements.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
When growth pressures persist, corporate boards frequently turn to executive leadership changes to engineer a turnaround, as demonstrated by this week's executive shakeup at Swiss chocolate maker Lindt.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of engineer

Verb

Pascal Lamy negotiated China’s accession to the WTO in 2001 on behalf of the EU.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Ian Gray, vice president of intelligence at the threat monitoring company Flashpoint, told NBC Miami this was a likely indication that Florida officials were negotiating with ShinyHunters to prevent a leak of the database.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of negotiate

Verb

The distinction matters because operating an unmanned vessel requires more than plotting a route.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
In the years to come, plotting out the dense and often convoluted storylines on a giant dry-erase board would become a staple of the Seinfeld writing process.

— Blake J. Harris, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of plot

Verb

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the Pentagon has not manipulated the service.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Without that provenance, the agent can’t reliably distinguish current operational truth from stale, incomplete or manipulated information.

— Shekhar Iyer, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The hotel can also arrange more typical Lanai tourist activities—scuba diving, sailing, horseback riding, or a day at the beach at the sister Four Seasons resort.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Lawyers in Russia eventually located him and arranged for legal visits, money for food and basic necessities, and the brief phone call with his son.

— Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrange

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masterly

mastermind

masterminded

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Style

“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mastermind

noun

verb

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