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
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
Whether through a mastermind group, business coach or accountability partner, having someone who expects progress reports dramatically increased my own implementation rate.
—Elissa Kelly, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
The hawk had masterminded a strategy, Dinets told me: To pull off the attacks, the bird had to create a mental map of the neighborhood—and, maybe even more important, understand that the rhythmic ticktock of the crossing signal would prompt a pileup of cars long enough to facilitate its assaults.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastermind
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Noun
But despite a mountain of firsthand accounts, the murder’s masterminds never saw justice.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
Whether through a mastermind group, business coach or accountability partner, having someone who expects progress reports dramatically increased my own implementation rate.
—Elissa Kelly, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
Melville masterminded a series of bombings in 1969, with targets including Rockefeller Center, the headquarters of Chase Manhattan, a military induction center, and a federal office building.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
The hawk had masterminded a strategy, Dinets told me: To pull off the attacks, the bird had to create a mental map of the neighborhood—and, maybe even more important, understand that the rhythmic ticktock of the crossing signal would prompt a pileup of cars long enough to facilitate its assaults.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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