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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Worked on by architect Julia Morgan for nearly 30 years, the estate, which was never officially finished, includes 165 rooms and 123 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways, where Hearst displayed his impressive art collection.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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The grand property later took on a radically different role as the state-of-the-art St George's Hospital, rebuilt in 1825 by architect William Wilkins, the mind behind London’s National Gallery.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
Verb
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For much of history, before humans learned how to engineer immunity, almost every parent had to bury at least one of their children, and often more.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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At one participating college, leaders aligned IT and engineering pathways with local employers so students are not just taking isolated courses, but moving through coherent pathways tied to internships and pre-apprenticeship opportunities.—
Michael Collins,
Forbes.com,
11 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
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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
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The number then becomes harder to interpret and easier to manipulate.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Songtams' guides can bring you to local temples and arrange cultural experiences to the Yunnan Nationalities Village showcasing ethnic minority cultures like the Yi, Bai, and Dai people.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
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Jason Momoa, who was born in Hawaii, was photographed helping Lola arrange traditional colorful Hawaiian garlands, the leis, a tribute to her roots.—
Monica Coviello,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Verb
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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 13 Jun. 2026.
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