intrigue

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

/ verb ɪnˈtrig; noun ɪnˈtrig, ˈɪn trig /

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See synonyms for: intrigue / intrigued / intrigues / intriguing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·trigued, in·tri·guing.

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.

to achieve or earn by appealing to another's curiosity, fancy, or interest: to intrigue one's way into another's notice.

to draw or capture: Her interest was intrigued by the strange symbol.

to accomplish or force by crafty plotting or underhand machinations.

Obsolete. to entangle.

Obsolete. to trick or cheat.

verb (used without object), in·trigued, in·tri·guing.

to plot craftily or underhandedly.

to carry on a secret or illicit love affair.

noun

the use of underhand machinations or deceitful stratagems.

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

a secret or illicit love affair.

the series of complications forming the plot of a play.

OTHER WORDS FOR intrigue

1 interest, attract, fascinate; enchant. enthrall.

7 plot, conspire,

9, 10 manipulation.

See synonyms for intrigue on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of intrigue

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

synonym study for intrigue

10. See conspiracy.

OTHER WORDS FROM intrigue

in·tri·guer, nounin·tri·guing·ly, adverbout·in·trigue, verb (used with object), out·in·trigued, out·in·tri·guing.un·in·tri·guing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use intrigue in a sentence

More than half of the $600,000 ransom went missing, and became the subject of nationwide intrigue.
The last time a woman was executed for a federal crime, a kidnapping riveted the nation|Samantha Schmidt|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
It may also have shown Washington’s assets as a backdrop for intrigue and trench-coated rendezvous on rain-splashed streets.
First day of new year unusually chilly, unusually wet|Martin Weil|January 2, 2021|Washington Post
The injuries and uncertainty at key positions add another element of intrigue to Sunday’s game, which has playoff implications for Washington.
Alex Smith questionable, Terry McLaurin doubtful for Washington’s game against Carolina|Nicki Jhabvala|December 25, 2020|Washington Post
Reading about and then re-creating those foods, inviting these plates filled with emotions into our own homes, bearing the love and woes and intrigue of multiple generations, across seas and land and time.
From the Strategist: The Best 2020 Cookbooks to Give, Recommended by Cookbook Authors|Nikita Richardson|December 10, 2020|Eater

With no strong relationships or intrigue to the mystery, the story crashes and burns.
‘Twin Mirror’ is a pale reflection of Dontnod’s previous, story-rich games|Elise Favis|December 2, 2020|Washington Post
Not for nothing did Rabin label Peres in his memoirs as “an indefatigable intriguer.”
The Mixed Legacy Of Shimon Peres|Daniel Gavron|February 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And remember, every palace intriguer may also be a double agent, ready to trade your opinions to get information in return.
Resisting the Pull of Office Politics|Jack And Suzy Welch|December 10, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Startled and horrified, Georgie had become in regard to her cousin, that born intriguer, but as clay in the hands of the potter.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Every Frenchwoman at heart is an intriguer, here again was a similarity of tastes and pursuits.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
From the time that the notorious "Spanish marriages" had become facts, the Duke of Montpensier had been an intriguer.
Spanish Life in Town and Country|L. Higgin and Eugne E. Street
Meantime that intriguer had been making for himself a tortuous approach to royalty.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte|William Milligan Sloane
She did not want her hero turned into an intriguer, no matter how innocent his motive.
The Second Latchkey|Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for intrigue

intrigue

verb (ɪnˈtriːɡ) -trigues, -triguing or -trigued

(tr) to make interested or curiousI'm intrigued by this case, Watson

(intr) to make secret plots or employ underhand methods; conspire

(intr often foll by with) to carry on a clandestine love affair

noun (ɪnˈtriːɡ, ˈɪntriːɡ)

the act or an instance of secret plotting, etc

a clandestine love affair

the quality of arousing interest or curiosity; beguilement

Derived forms of intrigue

intriguer, noun

Word Origin for intrigue

C17: from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin intrīcāre; see intricate

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

intrigue

OTHER WORDS FOR intrigue

Origin of intrigue

synonym study for intrigue

OTHER WORDS FROM intrigue

Words related to intrigue

How to use intrigue in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for intrigue

Derived forms of intrigue

Word Origin for intrigue