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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

Noun

Two years after the masterminds behind the College Football Playoff tripled the field from four to 12 teams, the annual postseason tournament is about to be expanded even further. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Hairstylist Clayton Hawkins is the mastermind behind the red carpet—and totally show-stopping—looks. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Bentley claims to have focused on four pillars when masterminding the electric SUV. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 23 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for mastermind

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind

Noun

Buelna and another candidate accused Winston of misleading the public by describing himself as an architect and an educator during the campaign when his full-time job is deputy mayor of infrastructure and climate resilience.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
After 144 years of construction, architect Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, was inaugurated this summer after the final piece of the Tower of Jesus Christ was installed in February.

— Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 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

This arrangement combines a larger front wheel for negotiating uneven surfaces with smaller overall proportions suited to tighter riding environments.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
According to various reports, Joe went out and negotiated a new contract without telling Troy.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of negotiate

Verb

For months, Republicans have suspected that the second Dan Sullivan’s Senate bid was designed to confuse voters as part of a broader scheme allegedly plotted by the Democratic Party to boost Peltola’s chances.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
Procrastination seems the wrong way to describe stories that connect intricately to each other and would seem to involve more forethought and plotting than a full-length novel.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of plot

Verb

Key Takeaways The experiment revealed an unexpected way to manipulate the weak magnetism inside an atomic nucleus.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Some see promise in manipulating the gut microbiome; others are exploring the potential of stimulating the vagus nerve, eliciting a psychedelic experience or repurposing drugs that might quiet inflammation in the brain.

— Lynne Peeples, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The service is seeking industry proposals for software that could help arrange the complex systems packed inside its next-generation SSN(X) attack submarine.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
His eight-song set, which I was blessed to experience firsthand, was sparsely arranged—the accompaniment amounted to a set of brass bells, a bass guitar, and Cox’s trusty SP-404—yet transfixing all the same.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

Its spacecraft launch as individual tiles that maneuver independently before connecting with one another.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Researchers theorize the pigment allows the fish to spot bioluminescence, giving it an additional tool to maneuver through the murky depths.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of maneuver

Browse Nearby Words

masterly

mastermind

masterminded

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Style

“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of mastermind

noun

verb

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