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
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
In December 2025, Karol G told Rolling Stone that sought-after choreographer Parris Goebel is the mastermind behind the singer’s Coachella performance.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Court records show Wamuigah participated in a business email compromise scheme masterminded by Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji of Nigeria.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
Celebrity stylist Jamie Mizrahi, the (unconfirmed) mastermind behind the Duchess’s As Ever era.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
In December 2025, Karol G told Rolling Stone that sought-after choreographer Parris Goebel is the mastermind behind the singer’s Coachella performance.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
After reluctantly agreeing to be a temporary adviser, Jobs took over as CEO and masterminded an innovation factory that churned out the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad in a decade-long burst of feverish creativity.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Court records show Wamuigah participated in a business email compromise scheme masterminded by Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji of Nigeria.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
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The vision conceived by museum director and Chief Executive Michael Govan and architect Peter Zumthor is not perfect, and brings with it a modest set of frustrations, but as a whole, the installation registers as ravishing and bracingly fresh.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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Jane Krakowski poses with her architect boyfriend David Rockwell at the opening night of Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Fallen Angels on Broadway on April 19 in New York City.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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No, the blame falls on moderate Democrats, who knew darn well what progressives and progressivism represented but did nothing to prevent the radical left from engineering a takeover of their party.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2026
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And the natural next step for Hublot was to re-engineer the Big Bang Unico itself.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Whether the teams ultimately relocate or negotiate new arrangements to stay, the 2026 World Cup offers a unique moment to experience this venue in a completely different context.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
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Vance had been slated to travel alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to lead a US delegation to negotiate with Iranian officials.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He is occasionally rumored to plot a comeback, or a new wrestling venture with Saudi backing.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Authorities say the teen carefully plotted the shooting at his Barrow County high school, including allegedly leaving a notebook with handwritten instructions detailing the steps to prepare for the violence and a diagram of his classroom.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There are seeds to grab, and in some cases, a team could essentially manipulate how their side of the bracket sorts itself out.—
Tim Reynolds,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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The case would also require testimony, which meant that at least one of Bateman’s wives needed to realize she was being manipulated and abused.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But these three high school students aren't arranging bouquets in a floral shop.—
Bo Evans,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Some of these are arranged into more staid compositions of geometric bands of color, while others bend and bulge into shapes evoking the baroque ruination of junk-yard findings.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Test your hand-eye coördination and deception skills by maneuvering open windows on your desktop background, answering e-mails and texts and looking at Instagram, all while appearing to be engaged.—
Charles Yu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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The correct grip could be the deciding factor in whether an astronaut correctly maneuvers a robotic arm or successfully performs a medical procedure.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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