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

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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

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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

Behind the scenes, the brilliant and taciturn spymaster Smiley orchestrates operations while the elusive Soviet mastermind Karla looms in the shadows, setting the stage for a conflict that will define a generation. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026 Police hunted tirelessly for the mastermind behind the killings, but the case has remained unsolved for more than 40 years. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

For decades, the prevailing story of the Manson murders held that Charles Manson masterminded a murderous plot to ignite a race war inspired by the Beatles. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 However, off the field, the leadership style of the man tasked with masterminding a new era at Anfield is understated. — James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mastermind

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind

Noun

These tiny architects of the deep sea actively regulate microbial populations.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
The hair accessories blended effortlessly with her texture, folding between the body of her hair thanks to celebrity hair architect Igor Rosales.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of architect

Verb

In hindsight, the Chicks—the Dixie Chicks until the band changed its name in 2020—were practically engineered to stand in opposition to the country establishment.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
Florida accuses the company of knowingly engineering its platforms to be addictive to teens, and misleading consumers about its safety.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of engineer

Verb

And third, the FCC can negotiate a consent decree with the broadcaster to redress any violations and resolve an enforcement matter.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
No consensus on what counts as a weapon International efforts to negotiate a new framework banning all weapons in space have stalled because there is no agreement on what counts as a space weapon, among other things, according to Samson.

— Stephanie Liechtenstein, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of negotiate

Verb

But a few months later, at her 18-month appointment, the standard graph that plotted a child’s weight against their age showed her weight slipping off the curve.

— Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
With some hits in the bank and an overall deal with Amazon MGM, Wallace and her team can now take the time to plot what comes next.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of plot

Verb

This concept turned into an exhibit element where visitors could manipulate the parameters themselves and create different fields of grass.

— Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Our minds take in information from the world (input), manipulate it in some fashion (computation), and then enact behavior (output).

— Benjamin Riley, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The hotel can arrange special things like a in-room Peloton bike or facilitate extra amenities to host a meeting in your suite.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Annals are historical records arranged by year; the clue leverages the entry’s singular form to misdirect us.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

The test was conducted to verify critical hypersonic technologies, including flight trajectories, speed, guidance and control systems, and the vehicle’s ability to maneuver at low altitudes.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
None of this stopped him from maneuvering Eberhard out of Tesla and taking control of the company.

— Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of maneuver

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masterly

mastermind

masterminded

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Style

“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mastermind

noun

verb

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