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
Siena Kessler, People.com, 4 July 2025
In a set that clocked in at just over 90 mins, the rapper/singer/production mastermind launched cupid strikes, flexed trickster magic, wore a mask, bore his heart, danced, raged, rapped, played with fire, and shouted out the flagship Whole Foods in downtown Austin.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 2 July 2025
The league’s president of content and events has masterminded how to put on outdoor games, All-Star weekends, the Stanley Cup Final in a bubble and last year’s draft at the Sphere.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
On June 8, the mastermind, writer and star of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, made history by bringing the Broadway cast back on stage to mark the musical’s 10th anniversary.
—Siena Kessler, People.com, 4 July 2025
In a set that clocked in at just over 90 mins, the rapper/singer/production mastermind launched cupid strikes, flexed trickster magic, wore a mask, bore his heart, danced, raged, rapped, played with fire, and shouted out the flagship Whole Foods in downtown Austin.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Verb
The series is based on a previously unproduced script by Sopranos mastermind David Chase.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 2 July 2025
The league’s president of content and events has masterminded how to put on outdoor games, All-Star weekends, the Stanley Cup Final in a bubble and last year’s draft at the Sphere.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
-
He was first inspired by a post uploaded by his friend, local architect John Stoughton, who occasionally uses AI at his firm in the early stages of conceptual design.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
-
To make his vision a reality, Forte enlisted famed American golf architect, Carl Philipps to design two 18-hole championship-length courses and a 9-hole par 3 course.—
Carrie Coolidge,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Fortunately, Red Sox chief of baseball operations Craig Breslow was astute enough in the offseason to engineer a trade with the New York Yankees, bringing in largely unheralded rookie catcher Carlos Narvaez for pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Takeaway: Move fast, but only on systems engineered to hold the weight.—
Kevin Meyer,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
The proposal by the Commission was negotiated behind closed doors and largely held secret until the final draft was approved.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
The sale of the home entertainment rights was negotiated by Brian Andreotti on behalf of Music Box Films and Workman.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Heading into the summer, Howe and the decision-makers at St James’ Park were surely plotting how to move forward again.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
-
Reiko Matsumura, a Yolo County sheriff’s deputy, is named on property records for a home and farmland plotted beside her sister Tammy’s property, where the explosions took place.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Fast-forward to this month, when Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement to move past Trump's claims that CBS's 60 Minutes deceptively manipulated a pre-election interview with Kamala Harris.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
25 July 2025
-
As for Tretter, Ferguson was more sympathetic despite whispers that the former Cleveland Browns guard from Akron Central High might have manipulated Howell’s rise to the NFLPA throne in exchange for a leadership role himself.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
13 July 2025
-
The controversy comes at a time the United States is trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
And these two will maneuver, manipulate, and murder anyone who gets in their way.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 July 2025
-
July is on course to set new records for the intensity of cross-border attacks. LONDON -- Russia and Ukraine again exchanged a series of major overnight drone strikes as the two sides maneuvered ahead of a possible resumption of ceasefire talks later this week.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share