intrigue
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
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to achieve or earn by appealing to another's curiosity, fancy, or interest.
to intrigue one's way into another's notice.
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to draw or capture.
Her interest was intrigued by the strange symbol.
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to accomplish or force by crafty plotting or underhand machinations.
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Obsolete. to entangle.
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Obsolete. to trick or cheat.
verb (used without object)
noun
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the use of underhand machinations or deceitful stratagems.
- Synonyms:
- manipulation
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such a machination or stratagem or a series of them; a plot or crafty dealing.
political intrigues.
- Synonyms:
- manipulation
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a secret or illicit love affair.
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the series of complications forming the plot of a play.
verb
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(tr) to make interested or curious
I'm intrigued by this case, Watson
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(intr) to make secret plots or employ underhand methods; conspire
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to carry on a clandestine love affair
noun
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the act or an instance of secret plotting, etc
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a clandestine love affair
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the quality of arousing interest or curiosity; beguilement
Related Words
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”; intricate
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.
The film’s narrative is scattered across two intersecting timelines that steadily build tension, suspicion and intrigue.
From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026
He was a 25-year-old tinkering with self-tanners, but all the intrigue and action seemed to be around the lab next door, with its strange music, flashing lights and tinfoil covering the porthole.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
Prediction markets are increasingly showing up in conversations about American culture, including Wall Street palace intrigue.
From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026
And I think that’s, to be honest, where the sort of intrigue or interest into that transportation into another.”
From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026
“Well, when she finds out about my new top secret job,” he said in a muffled voice full of intrigue, “she might change her mind. ’Cause there’ll be no town to nurse.”
From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
