as in conspiracy
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends
the intrigue was quickly discovered, and the would-be assassins were arrested
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
evidence that the leading manufacturers had intrigued to keep prices artificially high
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to interest
to hold the attention of
the mystery story intrigued me so that I read it in one sitting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intrigue
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
The traditional pomp and pageantry associated with the state opening of Parliament was overshadowed by the political intrigue, specifically the mounting speculation that Health Secretary Wes Streeting was planning to quit Starmer’s government and launch a leadership bid as soon as Thursday.
—Pan Pylas, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 12 May 2026
The place that most intrigued me was Hotel El Roblar, which is Ojai’s oldest lodge—and its newest.
—Priyanka Mattoo, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intrigue
Noun
Known as Burger Marty, the anonymous Broward rapper emerged last summer after his songs began going viral and his use of a clown mask generated intrigue around his persona.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
The traditional pomp and pageantry associated with the state opening of Parliament was overshadowed by the political intrigue, specifically the mounting speculation that Health Secretary Wes Streeting was planning to quit Starmer’s government and launch a leadership bid as soon as Thursday.
—Pan Pylas, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Verb
She was reassured, even intrigued, by the platform’s recommendation that guests should leave a small, symbolic gift for us.
—Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 12 May 2026
The place that most intrigued me was Hotel El Roblar, which is Ojai’s oldest lodge—and its newest.
—Priyanka Mattoo, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intrigue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intrigue
Noun
-
Now, he's pardoned all of these people, despite the fact that they were convicted of violently assaulting police officers, conspiring to overthrow the government of the United States in seditious conspiracy, and so on.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
Shannon Kurrie, 61, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud in the scheme earlier this month, according to the federal agency.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In Albany, Jeffries was part of a group of young Black and Latino lawmakers from New York City who played pickup basketball together and plotted legislative strategy over beers at a Bonefish Grill.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
But soon the 50-year-old character actor will be joining the DCU and plotting to conquer and collect the world as Brainiac, the villain of James Gunn’s Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Despite speculation, there has been no hard evidence to suggest the Celtics will look to trade Jaylen Brown (who likely would interest the Heat).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
That agenda should interest Washington.—
Daniel Benaim,
Time,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Scott said Williamson never spoke directly with Becerra about the scheme.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Quantum threats target the mathematical structure of encryption schemes like RSA and ECC; vaulted tokenization removes that target by decoupling data from its representation.—
Ed Leavens,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The fawn-like icon, star of classics including Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina, Two for the Road, Charade, Funny Face, and My Fair Lady, continues to fascinate even 33 years after her early death from a rare abdominal cancer.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
-
The idea of the ouroboros (a snake eating its tail) has always fascinated me.—
Peter Bogdanovich,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
House members who occupy safe seats have fewer incentives to compromise or work across the aisle.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Whole Foods opening in Newport Beach Whole Foods is opening a second store in Newport Beach, claiming the spot occupied by a Ralphs grocery store at Westcliff Plaza.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The players were primarily foreign born, with the United Kingdom being particularly well represented, and because of this, I was immersed as a child in British football culture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Watch the official livestream replay now and immerse yourself in one of the most exciting student fashion events in the world.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intrigue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intrigue. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
