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

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

But the real shock comes as the friends discover the motive and mastermind behind their twisted terror trip. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025

Tapping the ball with the inside of his right boot and shifting his shoulders, Jack Grealish looked every inch the creative mastermind England fell in love with in the summer of 2021. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Verb

And for those seeking British history, visit Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain, a steamship created by the man who masterminded much of England’s most impressive infrastructure, including the railway from London to Bristol. —Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025

Fedorov previously masterminded Ukraine’s DIIA app, ‘the state in your pocket,’ which provides instant access to a wide range of government services. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

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