pique
verb (used with object)
to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by some wound to pride.
have piqued
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present perfectof pique.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Unsurprisingly, such works have piqued the attention of Chinese authorities and made Badiucao – who does not give his real name publicly – a target.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026
Other topics of conversation have piqued the firm’s interest.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2025
For decades, weekly lunches between the American president and his vice president have piqued the interest of D.C. insiders.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2022
Will Ferrell's 2020 Eurovision spoof "Story of Fire Saga" and a recent NBC spinoff of the actual event, the "American Song Contest," hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson, have piqued interest in the U.S.
From Salon ● May 12, 2022
"Yes, somewhere else," she replied, with an indifference that would have piqued any man into using the power with which she invested him.
From The Lily of the Valley by Katharine Prescott Wormeley
