mastermind
verb (used with object)
to plan and direct (a usually complex project or activity), especially skillfully.
masterminds
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pluralof mastermind.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof mastermind (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
mastermindverb (used with object)to plan and direct (a usually complex project or activity), especially skillfully.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The cute but destructive rodents are criminal masterminds, easily circumventing humans’ meager defenses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Of the 32 apprehended, only two were convicted, Al-Saadi said, and they were little more than foot soldiers to masterminds of the operation who had already escaped.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026
The church had previous accused successive governments of failing to identify the masterminds behind the bombings.
From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026
The movie will be directed by Dune's Denis Villeneuve and is currently in development and being overseen by Amazon MGM Studios after long-serving masterminds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson stood down in February.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2025
You can't expect two masterminds like us to pig it in that room downstairs.
From Mike and Psmith by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
