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
Synonyms
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
Melissa Houston, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
The six defendants named in charges unsealed Tuesday include: chief leader and Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar, Khaled Meshaal and Ali Baraka.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2024
Maddie Garfinkle, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024
The top mafioso, convicted of masterminding some of Italy’s most heinous slayings — including the killings of prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino — subsequently died in September of last year in a maximum-security prison.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mastermind 
Noun
Attend industry events, join masterminds, and stay connected with your network.
7.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
The six defendants named in charges unsealed Tuesday include: chief leader and Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar, Khaled Meshaal and Ali Baraka.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2024
Verb
Following the robbery, Chicken Man was suspected of masterminding the plan.
—Maddie Garfinkle, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024
The top mafioso, convicted of masterminding some of Italy’s most heinous slayings — including the killings of prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino — subsequently died in September of last year in a maximum-security prison.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mastermind
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mastermind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mastermind
Cite this Entry
“Mastermind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastermind. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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