pique
verb (used with object)
to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by some wound to pride.
had piqued
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past perfectof pique.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
It’d make sense if that had piqued the FBI’s interest.
From Salon ● Jan. 7, 2025
Its resonant themes connected with new audiences, and by Stevenson’s senior year, the series had piqued the interest of publishers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2023
A gregarious hostess and entrepreneur who, with her husband, headed a luxury packaging firm, she possessed a resourcefulness with a ribbon and shears that had piqued Carson’s curiosity.
From New York Times ● Mar. 24, 2022
Dunthorne's fake account had piqued his imposter's interest, he was sent a phone number, prompting him to get a new Sim card and begin contacting the person on WhatsApp.
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2022
But she had piqued his interest, in a way he says likely wouldn’t have happened, absent her intervention.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
