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

Both sources told me planning for the operation was halted in July, when Zelensky abruptly fired its mastermind, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 From 2022 to 2024, Lewis was the mastermind of Alabama State’s defenses that once rivaled the Rattlers atop the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. — Gerald Thomas Iii, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Ferrell, who had an alternate offer, then masterminded an exit strategy. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 After a series of personal setbacks, Ingrid moves to Los Angeles to be closer to Taylor, masterminding their meeting and worming her way into her inner circle. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mastermind

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind

Noun

After years of planning and wrangling, after more than $10 million spent on engineers, and lawyers, and architects; after all of the rumors, and headlines, and finger-pointing, the big presentation was ready to be made.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
With help from an interior designer, a former architect transformed her Maine beach house into a colorful retreat that redefines coastal style.

— Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of architect

Verb

Because manufacturers rarely want to engineer completely different doors for individual countries, China’s decision could reshape vehicles sold worldwide.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
To find out, the team induced brief artificial hibernation in mice engineered as an epilepsy model, just before seizures had developed in the animals.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of engineer

Verb

The deal was negotiated by Steven Bestwick of The Yellow Affair and Bill Guentzler and RJ Millard on behalf of Obscured Releasing.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
If the lockout does go through all of 2027, do players not accrue any service time or will that be something that is negotiated/resolved when a deal is ultimately reached?

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of negotiate

Verb

At Hansen’s trial in 2009, prosecutors argued that the pair had plotted to kill MacNeil, 63, for money.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
But the Green Book plots Ecobalyse points, PEF micropoints and Higg scores together despite their different units and methodologies.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of plot

Verb

In virtually every practice, Rodgers gives the young quarterbacks a small piece of information — how to throw the ball on the run, how to carry out play-action, how to manipulate defenders with their eyes.

— Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
New tools in neuroscience have allowed researchers to manipulate the activity of specific neurons in mice brains.

— Danny G. Winder, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Palestinians and Lebanese displaced by the 1967 war were joining relatives or acquaintances in Dearborn, and residents arranged food and medical services for the new arrivals.

— Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Solano also arranged for 30 Jackson patients to go to the 14-bed Dulce Hogar ALF on Northwest 26th Avenue between 2016 and the end of 2023.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrange

Browse Nearby Words

masterly

mastermind

masterminded

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Style

“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of mastermind

noun

verb

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