intrigue

American  

[in-treeg, in-treeg, in-treeg] / ɪnˈtrig, ɪnˈtrig, ˈɪn trig /

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:

   enthrall, enchant, fascinate, attract, interest

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.

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verb (used without object)

intrigued, intriguing

1. to plot craftily or underhandedly.

   Synonyms:

   conspire, plot

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

noun

1. the use of underhand machinations or deceitful stratagems.

   Synonyms:

   manipulation

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

   political intrigues.

   Synonyms:

   manipulation

3. a secret or illicit love affair.

4. the series of complications forming the plot of a play.

intrigue British  

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. to carry on a clandestine love affair

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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

Synonym Usage

See conspiracy.

Other Word Forms

• intriguer
  noun
• intriguingly
  adverb
• outintrigue
  verb (used with object)
• unintriguing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of intrigue

First recorded in 1640–50; from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin intrīcāre “to entangle”; see intricate

Explanation

An intrigue is a secret plot. If you ever become the monarch of a small island kingdom, keep watch for signs of any intrigue against you. Intrigue comes from the Latin verb intricare, "to entangle," and is related to intricate. It can be a noun, meaning "underhanded plot," or a verb for the act of plotting. Agents of two opposing powers intrigue against each other. In the late 19th century it also came to mean the feeling of curiosity or interest. If someone's ideas intrigue you, you want to know more about them.

Example Sentences

The story of this search is told in a new BBC Radio 4 podcast, Intrigue: To Catch A King.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Intrigue ensues, and the shock of two gay cowboys gives way to what we might expect from a classic western: shootouts, horseback chases, fugitive justice.

From New York Times • Sep. 5, 2023

Intrigue abounds, not least over whether England can swashbuckle their way to success against an Australian bowling attack that is pound-for-pound the best on the planet.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2023

Intrigue alone could grant Howell consideration as an option in the 2023 season, which is now the focus for a team that not long ago had its sights set on the playoffs.

From Washington Post • Jan. 4, 2023

While Tallmadge was setting up the Culper Ring, Washington was already getting bits from Nathaniel Sackett, a “Person of Intrigue and Secrecy,” who was running his own spy network centered on New York City.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen

Related Words

• attract
• captivate
• charm
• delight
• enchant
• entertain
• excite
• fascinate
• pique
• please
• rivet
• tickle
• titillate