mastermind
12 synonyms for mastermind, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex.
“Police believe he was the mastermind behind the entire scheme.”
2. verb
To plan and direct a complicated scheme or operation.
“She masterminded the company's entire rebranding strategy.”
How to use mastermind
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
criminal mastermind
mastermind a plot
mastermind behind
Etymology
From master plus mind.
Full origin of mastermind →Frequently asked questions
What does “mastermind” mean?
The word “mastermind” means a person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex. In plain terms, the brilliant (often behind-the-scenes) planner of a complex operation, or the act of planning one.
How do you pronounce “mastermind”?
“Mastermind” is pronounced MAH-stuh-muh-ihnd (/ˈmæs.tɚˌmaɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mastermind” in a sentence?
Here is “mastermind” used in a sentence: “Police believe he was the mastermind behind the entire scheme.”
What part of speech is “mastermind”?
Depending on how it is used, “mastermind” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “mastermind” a common word?
“Mastermind” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mastermind” have?
“Mastermind” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex.
