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
Joe Otterson, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
With highly unusual subject matter for a song-and-dance production, this 2024 Olivier Award-winner for Best New Musical chronicles a real-life World War II invasion plan that counted British intelligence officer Ian Fleming — the future creator of James Bond — among its masterminds.
—John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 16 Mar. 2026
David Smiley, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Western officials say Russia is masterminding a campaign of sabotage and disruption across Europe.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Noun
Series mastermind Mike White is the writer, director, and executive producer.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
With highly unusual subject matter for a song-and-dance production, this 2024 Olivier Award-winner for Best New Musical chronicles a real-life World War II invasion plan that counted British intelligence officer Ian Fleming — the future creator of James Bond — among its masterminds.
—John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Cuban officials on Friday said the attack had been masterminded by Maritza Lugo Fernandez, an exile and former political prisoner in Cuba.
—David Smiley, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Western officials say Russia is masterminding a campaign of sabotage and disruption across Europe.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mastermind
Noun
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The performance will be led by Brian Knowles, architect of the Spady Museum’s Black History Study curriculum, accompanied by jazz musicians Lafayette Gilchrist, Emperor King Bishop (Solomon Selassie) and Bashi Rose.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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The architect ultimately bonds with — and quickly becomes attracted to — his friend’s wife (Pamela Gidley), and as the two of them pursue their passions together, secrets from the architect’s past and family bubble to the surface.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These are engineered for road running and provide maximum cushion for comfort.—
Claire Peltier,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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But colleges still need to exercise caution because socially engineering positive outcomes can easily go awry.—
David Blobaum,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But stocks were buoyed by reports that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was willing to negotiate.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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There were no mass demonstrations by the Iranian people against the regime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continued to fight even more ferociously, and Khamenei’s death did nothing to bring Iran’s negotiating position onto a more reasonable plane.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In Minnesota, a man was sentenced to life in prison for plotting the murder of a real estate agent in part by luring her to a bogus showing.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
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From there, further modules plan and execute experiments, analyze and plot the data and, finally, write the paper.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Be careful not to let someone else manipulate you or use guilt or jealousy as a technique.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
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During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The concierge specializes in Kyoto’s cultural events, and can help access exclusive ochaya with an interpreter, score tickets to the theater, book dinner reservations, a huge help in Kyoto, or help arrange meetings with monks and priests at the city’s Shinto shrines and temples.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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These could be arranged into longer, songlike sequences that played automatically.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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JetBlue increased the fees as airlines maneuver to cover their rising jet fuel costs, which have soared since the Iran war began.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Red Sox surprisingly didn't trade any of their young outfielders this offseason, and now have to figure out how to maneuver their lineup effectively.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mastermind. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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