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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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
Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
An official video, which has since been taken down, showed a vibrant spectacle of fireworks being unleashed from the top of a mountain, forming a winding line that Cai – the mastermind behind 2008 Beijing Olympic Games’ fireworks display – likened to a dragon.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The villa has a pool, a gym, a spa, plus an eclectic mix of artworks from Erozan’s private collection, but the bespoke dining – masterminded by celebrity chef Carlo Bernardini, who has flown in to join us – is the real star.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
Dobbertin is a three-time James Beard semifinalist and the mastermind behind Asian American hit Best Quality Daughter.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
An official video, which has since been taken down, showed a vibrant spectacle of fireworks being unleashed from the top of a mountain, forming a winding line that Cai – the mastermind behind 2008 Beijing Olympic Games’ fireworks display – likened to a dragon.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Polk, a longtime business partner of Jordan who was vice chairman of Hornets Sports & Entertainment when Jordan was the NBA team’s majority owner, is depicted as masterminding efforts to undermine NASCAR.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The villa has a pool, a gym, a spa, plus an eclectic mix of artworks from Erozan’s private collection, but the bespoke dining – masterminded by celebrity chef Carlo Bernardini, who has flown in to join us – is the real star.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
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The company in February 2016 had torn down the three historic Green Gables apartments, built in 1927 by architect Nelle Peters, after the buildings, west of the Country Club Plaza, had fallen into disrepair.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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Philosophy often glorifies the builders of grand systems — the bold architects of thought who draw sweeping maps of reality.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This is done, the company claims, by using ultra-smooth surfaces made from advanced composite materials engineered for both strength and durability, with minimal surface distortion.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
2 Oct. 2025
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PacBio uses special versions of the four bases that have been engineered to fluoresce in a characteristic color when exposed to ultraviolet light.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Democrats are also trying to pin the shutdown on Republicans, blaming Trump for not negotiating in good faith.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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During his campaign, Pacheco touted the board’s efforts to reduce drug costs for members by negotiating new agreements with healthcare companies.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The vessel will plot an 18-day course from the Chinese port of Ningbo-Zhoushan to Felixstowe in the UK, accompanied by ice breakers.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Soon, Crusifino left The D'Angelo Family after being accused of plotting against the stable.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But in addition to his reputation as a womanizer, Casanova was also a con man, a skilled liar who came from a family of actors and who over the course of his life manipulated and tricked countless people to maintain wealth and status.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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Pushed to extremes While footage and photographs of starving Palestinians in Gaza have horrified audiences abroad, inside Israel they have been dismissed by many as manipulated or untrue.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The continual delays have led to many embarrassing moments, the most recent coming last Tuesday, when, after Barca officials told the media the Camp Nou was ready, the Barcelona city council arranged a press conference of their own in reply.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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For the Rolliefest finale, Hess and his team of organizers arranged a farewell cocktail party in the winter garden of the new private residences at the Waldorf Astoria, fresh off an almost-eight-year, multibillion dollar restoration.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But because so much less is known about what made Gein tick than the motivations of Dahmer and the Menendezes, Hunnam had room to maneuver and to invent.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
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Over the first three frames, Wentz was unable to maneuver around traffic in the pocket.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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