mastermind 1 of 2

noun

ˈma-stər-ˌmīnd How to pronounce mastermind (audio)
Definition of mastermindnext
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
As the mastermind behind the Hollywood hair of stars like Stone, Lily Collins, and Zoe Saldaña — and the founder of Rōz Hair — her styling fingerprints decorate awards show red carpets and Instagram feeds alike. — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 Authorities were seeking both the assassins and masterminds of the crime, according to the president. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
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 The main building has five floors of 90 rooms and the neighboring tower features 51 residences that have been renovated with complimentary design, masterminded by Jenny Bukovec Studio in New York. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
  1. architect
  2. engineer
  3. negotiate
  4. plot
  5. manipulate
  6. arrange
  7. maneuver
Noun
  • Tour the buildings designed by legendary Glaswegian architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh—the campus is just one of the famed sites along his namesake trail (don’t miss The Lighthouse, Scotland's Centre for Design and Architecture along the route).
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The proposal to paint the building has alarmed preservationists, architects, historians and others who argue that granite is not meant to be painted and that paint would trap moisture and degrade the stone.
    — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of architect
Verb
  • Aetrex orthotics are made from high grade polyurethane, engineered to fill in all the spaces between your foot and the ground to give you comfort and relieve foot and back pain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Every detail is engineered to keep your pulse low and your tranquility high.
    — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of engineer
Verb
  • Tensions escalated this week after the deadline for Washington and Tehran to negotiate a peace deal formally expired on Monday, despite relations having nosedived — and fighting restarted — weeks prior.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • As labor groups negotiate with the California State University for better pay, the higher education system released a study that concluded total compensation for its staff and faculty was competitive with comparable employers and institutions.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of negotiate
Verb
  • According to charging documents, the teens were allegedly plotting to rob Wright and displayed guns during a video call.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Which, again, is perfectly fine for parallel parking but not particularly helpful in trail course plotting.
    — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of plot
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence has enabled the rapid rise of such tools, capable of digitally manipulating photos with little effort.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In a country where current and former governors command massive grassroots support and are often accused of working with local electoral officials to manipulate election results, analysts say the defections could work in Tinubu’s favor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • After retiring from working in 2019, Norris enjoyed growing and arranging flowers from her yard.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Nvidia, the $5 trillion AI infrastructure superstar, just arranged $500 billion in financing from Apollo, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street firms to bankroll customer orders for its cutting-edge chips.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • As the Esquire interview was presented, Pitt appeared to maneuver the writer, Ryan D’Agostino, into asking about his drinking.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • After the lunar landers separated from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, the team sought to maneuver the expended rocket away from the moon, in line with best practices.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of maneuver

Browse Nearby Words

masterly
mastermind
masterminded
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Cite this Entry

“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of mastermind for Spanish Speakers

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