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View synonyms for

intrigue

[in-treeg, in-treeg, in-treeg]

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: , , , ,
  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.



verb (used without object)

intrigued, intriguing 
  1. to plot craftily or underhandedly.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. to carry on a secret or illicit love affair.

noun

  1. the use of underhand machinations or deceitful stratagems.

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

    political intrigues.

    Synonyms:
  3. a secret or illicit love affair.

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

intrigue

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

“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

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

“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
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Other Word Forms

  • intriguer noun
  • intriguingly adverb
  • outintrigue verb (used with object)
  • unintriguing adjective
  • ˈٰܱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of intrigue1

First recorded in 1640–50; from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin Գٰī “to entangle”; intricate
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Word History and Origins

Origin of intrigue1

C17: from French intriguer, from Italian intrigare, from Latin Գٰī; see intricate
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Real's Saudi opponents - Al-Hilal - highlight another intriguing aspect of the tournament.

From

When you gather the creative minds behind six of the most entertaining and acclaimed shows of 2025, the conversation is destined for narrative intrigue.

From

“There’s no need to know the palace intrigue of who’s working in the building.”

From

Lawrence says she’s intrigued by the potential for “slightly off scents.”

From

It’s an intriguing idea, but one that Freedman, billed by his publisher as “Britain’s leading author of popular works of Jewish culture and history,” never really pins down.

From

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intrigantintrigued