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
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
The culprit and mastermind behind the heist is financial investigator Darren Yoshida (Andrew Koji).
—Barry Levitt, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Harding is calm under pressure, has run three different newsrooms and, having masterminded Tortoise’s Observer acquisition, now has some commercial chops.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
The mastermind behind this virus of perfection is a maniacal Elon Musk-type figure who has dubbed himself The Corporation (Ashton Kutcher).
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
The culprit and mastermind behind the heist is financial investigator Darren Yoshida (Andrew Koji).
—Barry Levitt, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Cavusoglu also masterminded an editor’s panel.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Harding is calm under pressure, has run three different newsrooms and, having masterminded Tortoise’s Observer acquisition, now has some commercial chops.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
-
Set inside a 17th-century former noble residence, the building has been a hotel since 1811—a grand, if slightly dusty, fixture of the Roman hospitality circuit—before having the cobwebs blown off courtesy of a four-year renovation overseen by the French-Mexican architect and designer Hugo Toro.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Adam Smith’s invisible hand coordinated the investors, architects, builders, and workers spending years getting the property in great shape for me and all of my neighbors.—
Edward Peter Stringham,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Marvell’s custom XPUs (AI accelerators) are specifically engineered for these unique workloads.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Ecoldbrew, engineered by a team of designers with experience working for brands like Xiaomi, Philips, De’Longhi and Ningbo Borine, is a portable compact coffee machine that fits 40-oz Stanley tumblers or its own custom container.—
Shirl Leigh
January 22,
New Atlas,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Such cover is often used in sectors such as agriculture – with pay-outs for farmers when a flood of a set magnitude occurs, for example – and provides policyholders with a speedy settlement, rather than requiring them to negotiate with loss adjusters.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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During his insulated schooling and military training, nobody told Joseph that South Africa’s white civilian leaders had changed their view of Mandela and were beginning to negotiate with him.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But in wrapping up a six-month investigation last month, independent counsel Cho’s team concluded that Yoon plotted for over a year to impose martial law to eliminate his political rivals and monopolize power.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Just last month, police charged a 17-year-old in Indiana linked to TCC who was allegedly plotting to carry out an attack.—
Lauren Fichten,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Higgins stole $356,181 through the scheme and reportedly manipulated the company’s accounting records to conceal her crimes, according to court records.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2026
-
In the alternative hypothesis, the lottery was somehow manipulated.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Schnell said his department routinely communicates with ICE in the weeks before an incarcerated person's release to arrange handoffs if a detainer is in place.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Hassan Shafeeu, our Essentialist (Patina’s answer to private butlers), is available around-the-clock via WhatsApp to arrange dinner reservations, drop off snorkeling kits, and share the best spots for baby shark sightings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This enables the pilot to maneuver the aircraft.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The Maxlite 5 is incredibly lightweight, easy to maneuver, and perfectly sized to slide under your seat—no overhead bin battle required.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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