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
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 28 May 2026
Israel has previously killed Hamas's former political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, its Gaza chief who was widely regarded as the mastermind of the October 7 attack.
—CBS News, 27 May 2026
ABC News, 28 May 2026
Then revive ancient accusations of Jews masterminding a political conspiracy and engaging in ritual murder and dismemberment.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
The criminal mastermind, created by author Arthur Conan Doyle to torment his famously observant protagonist, is set to star in his own drama series from Archery Pictures and Fremantle.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 28 May 2026
Israel has previously killed Hamas's former political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, its Gaza chief who was widely regarded as the mastermind of the October 7 attack.
—CBS News, 27 May 2026
Verb
He had been tried in absentia and convicted in dozens of murders, including helping to mastermind a pair of 1992 bombings that killed top anti-Mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Then revive ancient accusations of Jews masterminding a political conspiracy and engaging in ritual murder and dismemberment.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
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Widely regarded as one of California’s most important architects, Bernard Maybeck is revered for his rich designs ranging from bohemian clubhouses and woodland residences.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
-
Yet the tower's architect Gustave Eiffel fought to keep the tower intact, according to the website.—
Isabella Murray,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Higginbotham is a native of Hoover, Alabama, and is majoring in biosystems engineering at Auburn, according to the university and Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis.—
Anthony Trotter,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
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According to the official announcement from Nevada’s Clark County, the job necessitated a small army of volunteers and community partners using a design envisioned by engineering students at Las Vegas’ West Career & Technical Academy.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Mamdani negotiated 1,000 affordable tickets from FIFA at $50 each, with free round-trip transportation, for New Yorkers who won a lottery.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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After submitting an internet bill for review, Rocket Money successfully negotiated a lower monthly rate, reducing the cost from $90 to $50 per month.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Bolsonaro was arrested and ultimately convicted of plotting a coup to overturn the results of that election.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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But, increasingly convinced that Mossadegh was an extremist allied with communism, the Eisenhower administration began to plot his ouster.—
Andrew Arsan,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
Verb
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That echoes findings of a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which visited Yerevan in May and said foreign interference included illicit political financing, cyberattacks, economic coercion and direct attempts to manipulate the electoral process.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
The number then becomes harder to interpret and easier to manipulate.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Police in Las Vegas arranged for him to be arrested and then extradited to California, Clark said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
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Nearby, the Rum Vault is a small room stashed with bottles and bottles of the spirit, arranged like a library according to the producing region.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The missile features a streamlined, wingless design that relies on rear control fins for maneuvering.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
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Let’s start with the trade deadline, something the Rockies have often been reticent to maneuver in the past.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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