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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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

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 Davis was arrested in 2023 and indicted for masterminding the killing and providing the gun. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mastermind

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind

Noun

Swedish architect Martin Brudnizki dressed it in bold Art Deco and an electric color palette that doesn't apologize for existing on Sunset Boulevard.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Misheck Mutize, AfCRA’s chief architect, acknowledged that the agency’s main role would be to steer Africa’s $4 trillion savings into African assets rather than changing how foreign investors see the continent.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of architect

Verb

StudioCanal Stories negotiated the rights to the book series.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Bock already cut a check and coughed over cash totaling $14,500 in exchange for Jamal negotiating a deal on her behalf with state regulators.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of negotiate

Verb

Years ago, William had plotted to pollute the the ley lines — the source of all witches and warlocks’ magical powers — which was foiled by a Mary, Graves and their coven sister Tamora (Keegan Connor Tracy).

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Jair Bolsonaro is now serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest after being convicted of plotting to overturn that election and prevent Lula from taking office.

— Catherine Osborn, NPR, 4 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

An intelligence report seen by The Associated Press about the meeting identified Kandahar's governor, Mullah Shireen, as the host and claimed that Afghan and Indian intelligence officials helped arrange the meeting.

— MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Rivera and Nuhfer later helped arrange for Sessions to travel to Caracas in 2018 to meet Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

This creates a vicious cycle in which each new arrangement leaves Brazil with less room to maneuver and makes subsequent deals even more difficult.

— MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
Approaching one without zooming away in a split second requires maneuvering into its orbital plane and matching its speed.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mastermind

noun

verb

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