Synonyms of masterminding

masterminding

verb

present participle of mastermind

as in negotiating

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

• negotiating
• plotting
• arranging
• manipulating
• engineering
• managing
• contriving
• maneuvering
• framing
• concluding
• machinating
• wangling
• finessing
• finagling
• scheming
• concocting
• conducting
• hatching
• directing
• working out
• intriguing
• hammering out
• handling
• conniving
• concerting
• angling (for)
• brewing
• compassing
• cooking (up)
• commanding
• running
• gerrymandering
• captaining
• quarterbacking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blowing
• botching
• bungling
• mishandling
• butchering
• fumbling
• mangling
• messing (up)
• gumming (up)
• muffing
• flubbing
• bobbling
• lousing up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of masterminding

This year’s lingerie spectacular was no different, with Dame Pat McGrath masterminding the baby winged eyeliner and pink cheeks, while Guido Palau executed the blowouts. — Violet Hayward, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Bentley claims to have focused on four pillars when masterminding the electric SUV. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 23 Sep. 2026

However, off the field, the leadership style of the man tasked with masterminding a new era at Anfield is understated. — James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Davis was arrested in 2023 and indicted for masterminding the killing and providing the gun. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Russian war bloggers responded to Fedorov’s dismissal with glee, noting his role in masterminding long-range drone strikes on oil facilities that have caused a fuel crisis and midrange attacks that disrupted military logistics. — ABC News, 21 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

The siblings have been there for one another since day one—and Austin’s even been instrumental in masterminding some of his sister’s biggest moments. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Last year, both Karen Read, acquitted of killing her Boston cop boyfriend in June, and Sherri Papini, who served time for masterminding her own 2016 kidnapping in California, participated in documentaries about their cases. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026