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View synonyms for

intrigue

[ verb in-treeg; noun in-treeg, in-treeg ]

verb (used with object)

intrigued, intriguing.
  1. to arouse the curiosity or interest of by unusual, new, or otherwise fascinating or compelling qualities; appeal strongly to; captivate:

    The plan intrigues me, but I wonder if it will work.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  2. to achieve or earn by appealing to another's curiosity, fancy, or interest:

    to intrigue one's way into another's notice.

  3. to draw or capture:

    Her interest was intrigued by the strange symbol.

  4. to accomplish or force by crafty plotting or underhand machinations.
  5. Obsolete. to entangle.
  6. Obsolete. to trick or cheat.


verb (used without object)

intrigued, intriguing.
  1. to plot craftily or underhandedly.

    Synonyms: ,

  2. to carry on a secret or illicit love affair.

noun

  1. the use of underhand machinations or deceitful stratagems.

    Synonyms:

  2. such a machination or stratagem or a series of them; a plot or crafty dealing:

    political intrigues.

    Synonyms:

  3. a secret or illicit love affair.
  4. the series of complications forming the plot of a play.

intrigue

verb

  1. tr to make interested or curious

    I'm intrigued by this case, Watson

  2. intr to make secret plots or employ underhand methods; conspire
  3. introften foll bywith to carry on a clandestine love affair
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of secret plotting, etc
  2. a clandestine love affair
  3. the quality of arousing interest or curiosity; beguilement
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٰܱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ٰ·ܱ noun
  • ·ٰ·ܾԲ· adverb
  • dzܳ··ٰܱ verb (used with object) outintrigued outintriguing
  • ܲ··ٰ·ܾԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of intrigue1

First recorded in 1640–50; from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin Գٰī “to entangle”; intricate
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Word History and Origins

Origin of intrigue1

C17: from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin Գٰī; see intricate
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Yet this isn't the time for celebration either - that will have to wait until after the funeral, when the conclave will spark the usual frenzy of excitement, intrigue and inevitable speculation.

From

Hegseth's Defense Department has been a reliable source for palace intrigue stories, as dangerously sloppy information security around military strikes in Yemen has led to a chaotic wave of firings.

From

Now the uncertainty over their next step has helped make this one of the most intriguing drafts in years.

From

The tree-chopping vandal sparked great intrigue and outrage when residents spotted the wooden carnage on South Grand Avenue and other areas of city-owned property over the weekend.

From

"Every time we think we understand something, something else crops up and the picture gets more intriguing," said Andy Seaman from Cardiff University, who is leading the project.

From

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intrigantintrigued