mas·ter·mind
ˈma-stər-ˌmīnd 
ˌmas-tər-ˈ
: a person who supplies the directing or creative intelligence for a project
masterminded; masterminding; masterminds
: to be the mastermind of
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
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
While the photo recreation may seem spontaneous, Evelyn told Newsweek that her mom was the real mastermind behind it.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Jenn Rice, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Few government departments or traditions seem to be off limits for the administration's aggressive changes in policy or reductions in work force, masterminded by Mr. Trump’s sidekick, the billionaire disrupter-in-chief, Elon Musk.
—Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
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Noun
My favorite episode purportedly delivering this lesson involves the death of Charles Bluhdorn, the mastermind of the behemoth conglomerate Gulf & Western Industries, which reigned over the stock market from the 1960s through the 1970s.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
While the photo recreation may seem spontaneous, Evelyn told Newsweek that her mom was the real mastermind behind it.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
That’s all thanks to the collaboration between The White Lotus mastermind Mike White, Max and Four Seasons Thailand, keeping many things from the show attainable.
—Jenn Rice, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Few government departments or traditions seem to be off limits for the administration's aggressive changes in policy or reductions in work force, masterminded by Mr. Trump’s sidekick, the billionaire disrupter-in-chief, Elon Musk.
—Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastermind. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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