masterminded
Devised the scheme
Masterminded is the past tense of mastermind, meaning to plan and direct a complex operation or scheme.
The word implies being the principal architect behind something requiring coordination and strategic thinking: She masterminded the company's expansion into Asia.
Often used for criminal enterprises: He masterminded the heist.
Decided on beforehand
- coordinatedArranged to work together
- arrangedPut into order
- organizedSystematically arranged
- engineeredDesigned with technical precision
designed · executed · directed · managed · staged · schemed · plotted · devised
Organized large-scale theft
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- caperPrank or pickled bud
operation · syndicate · ringleader · accomplice · getaway · cover-up · fraud · robbery
Intensely bright or gifted
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- architectBuilding design professional
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
brains · prodigy · intellect · masterstroke · virtuoso · savant · guru · wizard
Crafty and calculating
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
crafty · shrewd · wily · sly · underhanded · covert · insidious · guileful
planned
Decided on beforehand
- coordinatedArranged to work together
- arrangedPut into order
- organizedSystematically arranged
engineered · designed · executed · directed · managed · staged · schemed · plotted · devised · contrived
heist
Organized large-scale theft
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- plotStoryline or land parcel
caper · operation · syndicate · ringleader · accomplice · getaway · cover-up · fraud · robbery · swindle
brilliant
Intensely bright or gifted
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- architectBuilding design professional
strategist · brains · prodigy · intellect · masterstroke · virtuoso · savant · guru · wizard · pioneer
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
devious · crafty · shrewd · wily · sly · underhanded · covert · insidious · guileful · artful
mastermindedhappened upon
Found unexpectedly
unplanned · accidental · unpremeditated · spontaneous · random
mastermindedobeyed
Followed a directive
carried out · followed · took orders · executed · tagged along
mastermindedbungled
Performed ineptly, failed
botched · fumbled · blundered · muddled through · mismanaged
- criminal mastermindGenius orchestrating illegal schemes