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

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

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

Wacky character traits get trotted out merely for visual dazzle, not to generate any intrigue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Prediction markets are increasingly showing up in conversations about American culture, including Wall Street palace intrigue.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

"It was a bit looser than a friendship - it was more intrigue," says Hutchcroft, noting Barrett appeared to love playing the VIP in fashion houses and members' clubs.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

The space for knowledge and intrigue — for the excitement of vast human opinion — exists in the in-between.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

These would be likely to intrigue the soothsayer and lure her out of hiding, if she happened to be in earshot.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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