mastermind
noun
, ˌmas-tər-ˈ\
Definition of mastermind
(Entry 1 of 2)
mastermind
verbDefinition of mastermind (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms for mastermind
Synonyms: Noun
Synonyms: Verb
contrive, engineer, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, wangle
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Examples of mastermind in a Sentence
Noun
the mastermind behind the terrorist plot the real mastermind behind the embezzlement schemeVerb
They masterminded a unique solution to the problem. He masterminded the bank robbery.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The mastermind behind Bayern Munich’s 2013 treble winning side, arguably the most complete European club outfit of the 21st century. — Ben Carter, SI.com, "The 50 Greatest Football Managers of All Time," 20 Aug. 2019 Hairstylist Akki Shirakawa is the mastermind behind this look, and Shirakawa has also gifted us with many of Lady Gaga's best hair looks, including her cover for the 2014 Harper's Bazaar September issue. — Amanda Mitchell, Allure, "Celine Dion Is Single-Handedly Bringing Back the Bowl Cut," 2 Aug. 2019 Kerri and her husband, Andy, are the masterminds behind the traveling Philly Yard Bar. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "This Company Will Bring a 40-Person Pop-Up Bar to Your Backyard Party," 1 July 2019 The suspects, Glenn Wright, 42, the bridge player described as the crime’s mastermind, and Orland Tolden, 26, both of Houston, and Dennis Moss, 27, of Cocoa, Fla., were convicted of the kidnapping and sentenced to long prison terms. — Robert D. Mcfadden, BostonGlobe.com, "George Rosenkranz, a developer of the birth control pill, dies at 102," 26 June 2019 The suspects, Glenn Wright, 42, the bridge player described as the crime’s mastermind, and Orland Tolden, 26, both of Houston, and Dennis Moss, 27, of Cocoa, Fla., were convicted of the kidnapping and sentenced to long prison terms. — Robert D. Mcfadden, New York Times, "George Rosenkranz, a Developer of the Birth Control Pill, Dies at 102," 23 June 2019 The Music Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez -- the masterminds behind the original Frozen soundtrack -- are confirmed to write music for the sequel, too. — Madeleine Fernando, Billboard, "Everything We Know About 'Frozen 2'," 12 June 2019 The mastermind behind the hack can send phishing emails (or worse) right to your screen with a wireless connection and close proximity. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, "You Probably Shouldn't Use a Random Cable to Charge Your iPhone," 13 Aug. 2019 The detention center has held a number of high-profile inmates, including Ponzi scheme mastermind Bernard Madoff and 1993 World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Ahmed Yousef. — Elizabeth Lawrence, USA TODAY, "'Torture,' 'roach motel': Conditions at jail where Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide decried by inmates for years," 10 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
His cell in the infamous prison was once home to the late political leader Hassan Abdallah al-Turabi, who masterminded the 1989 coup that put Bashir in power before the two later fell out with each other. — CNN, "The ex-Sudanese president's cronies tried to break him out of jail ahead of his trial," 19 Aug. 2019 The plan, which acts like a budget for the city’s limited water and sewer resources from 2018 to 2024, was largely masterminded by Bill Mackey, who left his city position Friday, Aug. 16. — Catalina Righter, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Westminster council OKs water policy amendment, bids fond farewell to planning director," 16 Aug. 2019 Darin Schilmiller, the 21-year-old Indiana man accused of masterminding a plot to kill a developmentally disabled Anchorage woman in June, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the federal child pornography charges that linked him to the slaying. — Madeline Mcgee, Anchorage Daily News, "Indiana man accused of masterminding Cynthia Hoffman killing pleads not guilty to child porn charges," 8 Aug. 2019 The English writer-performer masterminded two shows that give voice to exceptionally entertaining women while collectively picking up 20 Emmy nominations along the way. — Hugh Hart, Fortune, "Women Creators Are Stealing the Spotlight on TV," 5 Aug. 2019 Cameramen film the scene as Charles Manson is brought into the Los Angeles city jail under suspicion of having masterminded the Tate-LaBianca murders of August 1969. — Alejandro De La Garza, Time, "The True Story Behind Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," 26 July 2019 That does not mean the Seaport San Diego project can be masterminded, let alone built, in a bubble. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Seaport San Diego tower is like nothing else on California’s coast. That’s the problem," 20 July 2019 The maverick masterminded a stunning achievement for the Rams, who lay in the second tier on his arrival. — SI.com, "7 Football Managers Who Have Taken Charge of Fierce Rivals," 15 July 2019 Authorities are seeking a Texas man believed to have masterminded the shooting that wounded former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz in the Dominican Republic earlier this month. — Marc Ramirez, Dallas News, "Texas man believed to have masterminded hit that injured Red Sox legend 'Big Papi'," 20 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mastermind.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for mastermind
mastermind
noun
English Language Learners Definition of mastermind
(Entry 1 of 2)
mastermind
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of mastermind (Entry 2 of 2)
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