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

Both sources told me planning for the operation was halted in July, when Zelensky abruptly fired its mastermind, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 From 2022 to 2024, Lewis was the mastermind of Alabama State’s defenses that once rivaled the Rattlers atop the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. — Gerald Thomas Iii, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Ferrell, who had an alternate offer, then masterminded an exit strategy. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 After a series of personal setbacks, Ingrid moves to Los Angeles to be closer to Taylor, masterminding their meeting and worming her way into her inner circle. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mastermind

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind

Noun

After years of planning and wrangling, after more than $10 million spent on engineers, and lawyers, and architects; after all of the rumors, and headlines, and finger-pointing, the big presentation was ready to be made.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
With help from an interior designer, a former architect transformed her Maine beach house into a colorful retreat that redefines coastal style.

— Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of architect

Verb

Because manufacturers rarely want to engineer completely different doors for individual countries, China’s decision could reshape vehicles sold worldwide.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
To find out, the team induced brief artificial hibernation in mice engineered as an epilepsy model, just before seizures had developed in the animals.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of engineer

Verb

The deal was negotiated by Steven Bestwick of The Yellow Affair and Bill Guentzler and RJ Millard on behalf of Obscured Releasing.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
If the lockout does go through all of 2027, do players not accrue any service time or will that be something that is negotiated/resolved when a deal is ultimately reached?

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of negotiate

Verb

There’s also growing evidence that building a career inside a firm continues to be a more reliable route to success than trying to plot a path across companies.

— Matthew Bidwell, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Proper later allegedly admitted to plotting the UFC 250 attack and described it in full to the FBI, according to the criminal complaint.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of plot

Verb

In virtually every practice, Rodgers gives the young quarterbacks a small piece of information — how to throw the ball on the run, how to carry out play-action, how to manipulate defenders with their eyes.

— Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
New tools in neuroscience have allowed researchers to manipulate the activity of specific neurons in mice brains.

— Danny G. Winder, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Still, each guest enjoys their secluded villa, private spa time, and a personal guide to arrange hiking and water excursions like snorkeling and surfing.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Tafoya arranged for five blank checks paid as bribes by a marijuana firm to be cashed with the help of his brother and passed one $10,000 check on to marketer Chavez, according to the plea agreement.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

On top of working long hours in blistering heat and returning to a heat island, many Latinos then must maneuver the issue of older housing.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
That outsider status, some former advisors and close watchers of Carney say, is precisely what gives him room to maneuver, with Canadians seeing him as above the grubby backroom dealing of traditional politics.

— Desiree Adib, ABC News, 27 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of mastermind

noun

verb

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