MASTERMINDED Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

masterminded

verb

past tense of mastermind

as in negotiated

to plan out usually with subtle skill or care he was charged with masterminding a plan to redecorate the suite of offices without seriously disrupting business operations

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of masterminded British prosecutors said it was masterminded by Russia’s intelligence services. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 Novitskaya succeeds Jean-Marc Loubier, the brainy, energetic executive who masterminded the rejuvenation and global expansion of Delvaux in the 2010s. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 For decades, the prevailing story of the Manson murders held that Charles Manson masterminded a murderous plot to ignite a race war inspired by the Beatles. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Ferrell, who had an alternate offer, then masterminded an exit strategy. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 Mostly young protesters support Fedorov Syrskyi initially organized the defense of Kyiv in February 2022, and seven months later masterminded a successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 The main building has five floors of 90 rooms and the neighboring tower features 51 residences that have been renovated with complimentary design, masterminded by Jenny Bukovec Studio in New York. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026 The insurance company has alleged that a rogue AI robot masterminded Dela Torre’s campaign to improperly challenge her settlement agreement, generating a flurry of baseless and abusive filings that cost $300,000 to contest. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 Famous architect John Nash (who was also behind the design of Buckingham Palace) masterminded the original estate as a classical storied mansion. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterminded

Verb

The deal was negotiated by Bressack and Matthew Helderman, CEO and co-founder of BondIt and Buffalo 8.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
The women negotiated a lease and arranged to meet him at his home.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of negotiated

Verb

That’s the ultimate promise of new research showing lettuce can be engineered to produce myoglobin, a protein found in meat.

— Lila Magbilang, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
In hindsight, the Chicks—the Dixie Chicks until the band changed its name in 2020—were practically engineered to stand in opposition to the country establishment.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of engineered

Verb

Detours and shortcuts in the brain The cells and synapses of the brain aren’t arranged in rigid, linear paths for each task and experience.

— Sean Mccabe, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Desperate for actual contact with Holmes, Fielder has arranged to meet her briefly at the prison before Evans shows up.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of arranged

Verb

But a few months later, at her 18-month appointment, the standard graph that plotted a child’s weight against their age showed her weight slipping off the curve.

— Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
By the time the coffee shop building was going up at the end of the route in 1959, Fresco said, interstate freeways were already beginning to usurp Route 66’s role and the Santa Monica route of Interstate 10 had been plotted.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of plotted

Verb

The Delhi agitation centers on allegations that voter lists were manipulated during the Special Intensive Revision exercise.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The researchers then manipulated the scenario by changing what happened after the focal bee returned to the hive and gave directions to the feeder.

— Marta Hill, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of manipulated

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“Masterminded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterminded. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of masterminded

verb

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