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
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Recent Examples of mastermind
David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
The Americana band’s mastermind, Daniel Bateman, put the project on hold for four years before bringing his brother, Steve, into the previously one-man-band in 2023.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Ashley Baker, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026
Among other things, Timerman was accused of masterminding a plot to establish a Jewish homeland in the remote Patagonia region of southern Argentina.
—Juan Melamed, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
The al-Qaeda mastermind and chief was killed in a daring SEAL Team 6 raid deep into Pakistan in May 2011.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
The Americana band’s mastermind, Daniel Bateman, put the project on hold for four years before bringing his brother, Steve, into the previously one-man-band in 2023.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
Its Scandinavian design was masterminded by a Swiss architect, and while the angles may be precise and dramatic, the furnishings are unabashedly hygge, with sheepskins, soft throws, and wood-burning fireplaces throughout to fend off the coastal damp.
—Ashley Baker, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026
Among other things, Timerman was accused of masterminding a plot to establish a Jewish homeland in the remote Patagonia region of southern Argentina.
—Juan Melamed, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
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For the early architects, food was always political and thus, so too was food justice—a direct affront to unfair systems.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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Crafted by designer and architect Peter Marino in collaboration with Peter McCoy of McCoy Construction, the entire spread offers a total of 39 bedrooms and 50 full bathrooms, plus another nine powder rooms, across an astonishing 70,000 square feet.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In this bucolic setting, days slip by discreetly engineered by the smart, young staff.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Ganz described building a viral marketing team engineered around the two-to-three week lifespan of a music trend cycle, with direct influencer relationships and in-house infrastructure designed to activate within 48 hours.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite attempts to negotiate the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening during an ongoing ceasefire, the narrow waterway remains shut to virtually all ship traffic.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Olthof Homes successfully challenged a $100,000 penalty levied by the town in the Indiana Court of Appeals, so a lower fine was negotiated between the two parties.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the show’s plotting and Niall’s exquisite complexity more than make up for Ruben’s relative flatness.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Authorities allege on July 21, 1993, Solis and two co-conspirators plotted a robbery of Guerrero, a narcotics supplier, at his Bronx apartment.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But there is a point where the prediction shapes and manipulates the actual outcome.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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Bronze Age symbolizes a time of change Bronze, a raw material, was skillfully manipulated to create objects that not only carried weight but also meaning.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to court documents, transport for the embryo is being arranged for early May.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
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Jones also irritated House leaders by ignoring a plan to continue using Georgia's voting machines for one more year until replacements can be arranged, creating the possibility of a dicey election-season special session.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The drone can be seen intercepting a low-flying Ka-52, maneuvering towards its port weapon pylon before the footage dramatically cuts.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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Nail artists don’t use actual watercolors, of course, but the technique required to create this look is not far from how a painter maneuvers their brush on a canvas.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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