as in negotiated
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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Recent Examples of masterminded
But for our purposes, what’s important is that Trevor never masterminded any bombings.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Cho also said that Yoon had masterminded a plan in October 2023 to suspend the powers of South Korea’s parliament and replace it with an emergency legislative body.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
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
The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
In any case, Grace, Hal, and the White House Chief of Staff Billie Appiah (Nana Mensah) go back and forth about how to deal with the impending leak that Grace Penn masterminded the bombing of the ship.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
When Hamilton refused him legal help, Reynolds told all who would listen that the Treasury secretary had masterminded his financial chicanery.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
To be sure, Ortega Pérez has masterminded the repositioning and elevation of the brand from high-street chain to cultural player through a robust collaboration strategy.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Judy Berman, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Cho also said that Yoon had masterminded a plan in October 2023 to suspend the powers of South Korea’s parliament and replace it with an emergency legislative body.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
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
The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
In any case, Grace, Hal, and the White House Chief of Staff Billie Appiah (Nana Mensah) go back and forth about how to deal with the impending leak that Grace Penn masterminded the bombing of the ship.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
When Hamilton refused him legal help, Reynolds told all who would listen that the Treasury secretary had masterminded his financial chicanery.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
To be sure, Ortega Pérez has masterminded the repositioning and elevation of the brand from high-street chain to cultural player through a robust collaboration strategy.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterminded
Verb
-
House Democrats largely opted not to support the funding agreement negotiated by their Senate counterparts, with some saying that funding DHS at current levels even for a few days would be inappropriate.—
Toluse Olorunnipa,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The deal was negotiated by Mark Ward on behalf of Independent Film Company and Shudder.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Hoka boots have a durable and winter-proof mesh upper made mostly of recycled polyester, and a Vibram Megagrip EVA sole engineered to grasp the slickest surfaces.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
There is a secondary time zone handle included, specifically designed for GMT, and the case and crystal have been engineered to be incredibly thin without sacrificing on performance.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Two days after Jamarrien Monroe and his 5-year-old cousin were killed, police arrested Tyreion Nixon-Clark in connection with an unrelated homicide motivated by robbery in which the suspect arranged a meeting that the victim thought was to be a rifle sale, authorities said.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Kimani parked beside a clearing where chairs had been arranged around a fire.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In early May, with United due to host arch-rivals Liverpool in the Premier League during a time in which Covid-19 restrictions meant fans were not allowed into stadiums, supporters plotted a huge protest around one of the most high-profile fixtures in English football.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
His path here wasn’t plotted out as brand strategy or a pivot to wellness.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Masterminded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterminded. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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