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
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
The English composer recently hopped on a Zoom with Billboard to time-warp back to the ‘70s and walk us through his friendship with Rocky Horror mastermind Richard O’Brien and spill some secrets of the Frankenstein place.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Four years later, police accused him of masterminding the killing of Moosewala, a Punjabi icon whose lyrics chronicled the hardships of life on the streets.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
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Noun
Israel views him and some others as terrorist masterminds who murdered Israeli civilians and has refused to release them in past exchanges.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
The English composer recently hopped on a Zoom with Billboard to time-warp back to the ‘70s and walk us through his friendship with Rocky Horror mastermind Richard O’Brien and spill some secrets of the Frankenstein place.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
When Hamilton refused him legal help, Reynolds told all who would listen that the Treasury secretary had masterminded his financial chicanery.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Four years later, police accused him of masterminding the killing of Moosewala, a Punjabi icon whose lyrics chronicled the hardships of life on the streets.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 2025.
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