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
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Recent Examples of masterminding
Adán Fúnez, a former mayor of the city of Tocoa, was captured at his home on suspicion of masterminding the killing, after years of accusations by religious and environmental leaders.
—
Marlon González, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Dior beauty experts will be masterminding the services.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Adán Fúnez, former mayor of the city of Tocoa, was captured at his home on Tuesday on suspicion of masterminding the killing, following years of accusations by religious and environmental leaders.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Among other things, Timerman was accused of masterminding a plot to establish a Jewish homeland in the remote Patagonia region of southern Argentina.
—Juan Melamed, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is serving 20 years in prison for masterminding the scheme.
—Julie Carr Smyth The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Under South Korean law, masterminding an insurrection carries a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
They are accused en masse of masterminding a multi-billion-dollar ripoff of federal funds.
—Robert W. Laird, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Bowers had spent the past few years masterminding bombings at Mississippi’s Black churches and, more recently, synagogues as well.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 4 Feb. 2026
Marlon González, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Dior beauty experts will be masterminding the services.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Adán Fúnez, former mayor of the city of Tocoa, was captured at his home on Tuesday on suspicion of masterminding the killing, following years of accusations by religious and environmental leaders.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Among other things, Timerman was accused of masterminding a plot to establish a Jewish homeland in the remote Patagonia region of southern Argentina.
—Juan Melamed, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is serving 20 years in prison for masterminding the scheme.
—Julie Carr Smyth The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Under South Korean law, masterminding an insurrection carries a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
They are accused en masse of masterminding a multi-billion-dollar ripoff of federal funds.
—Robert W. Laird, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Bowers had spent the past few years masterminding bombings at Mississippi’s Black churches and, more recently, synagogues as well.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterminding
Verb
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My experience includes negotiating SB 54 on plastic pollution and writing Proposition 4, which voters approved by a 20% margin to fund clean water, wildfire prevention and climate resilience projects.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
Some are negotiating compressed workweeks to reduce commuting days.—
ByBryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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But soon the 50-year-old character actor will be joining the DCU and plotting to conquer and collect the world as Brainiac, the villain of James Gunn’s Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
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An Iraqi man accused of orchestrating nearly 20 terrorist attacks across Europe and plotting attacks on Jewish institutions in the United States has been brought to New York to face federal terrorism charges after what the FBI described as a major international operation.—
Louis Casiano , Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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There’s also a lifestyle concierge to help book all sorts of experiences or answer any questions, from arranging a tour of Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul to coordinating a private driver to Teotihuacán.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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Events range from making flower crowns to seasonal vase arranging — no experience needed.—
Mindy Sink,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
Verb
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More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham (Tennant) is determined to dismantle his rivals piece-by-piece, weaponizing scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
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Eric Richins' other sister, Katie Richins-Benson, accused Kouri Richins of isolating and manipulating the couple's sons while attempting to take their inheritance.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterminding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterminding. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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