mastermind

1 of 2

noun

mas·​ter·​mind ˈma-stər-ˌmīnd 

ˌmas-tər-ˈ

: a person who supplies the directing or creative intelligence for a project

mastermind

2 of 2

verb

masterminded; masterminding; masterminds

transitive verb

: to be the mastermind of

Synonyms of mastermind

Noun

• architect
• engineer

Verb

• engineer
• negotiate
• plot
• manipulate
• arrange
• maneuver

Examples of mastermind in a Sentence

Noun

the mastermind behind the terrorist plot

the real mastermind behind the embezzlement scheme

Verb

They masterminded a unique solution to the problem.

He masterminded the bank robbery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fraud doesn’t always require a sophisticated criminal mastermind. — Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Recently, he’s been following the reaction to musician Stella Lefty, who has been subject to accusations of plagiarism and nepotism — some people going so far as to claim that her father, Eric Lefkofsky, was somehow an AI mastermind of her career. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

Novitskaya succeeds Jean-Marc Loubier, the brainy, energetic executive who masterminded the rejuvenation and global expansion of Delvaux in the 2010s. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1872, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mastermind

• countersigned
• disinclined
• humankind
• interlined
• intertwined
• misaligned
• nonaligned
• predefined
• realigned
• reassigned
• recombined
• redefined

Kids Definition

mastermind

noun

mas·​ter·​mind

ˈmas-tər-ˌmīnd, 

ˌmas-tər-ˈmīnd

: a person who invents or directs a project

mastermind verb