as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
an intriguing concept that should engender much debate among climatologists
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in plotting
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 fascinating
to hold the attention of
the mystery story intrigued me so that I read it in one sitting
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intriguing
New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
Right-hander Zac Gallen is still an intriguing arm given his age (30) and upside coming off a down year.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2025
New York has intriguing young outfielders in Jasson Domínguez and Spencer jones, but Bellinger was the team's second best player in the lineup this season.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intriguing
Adjective
Scientists have uncovered an intriguing link between infection and brain health, finding that a common bacterium in the eye appears to be linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
—New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
Right-hander Zac Gallen is still an intriguing arm given his age (30) and upside coming off a down year.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2025
New York has intriguing young outfielders in Jasson Domínguez and Spencer jones, but Bellinger was the team's second best player in the lineup this season.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intriguing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intriguing
Adjective
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And Riera — who has arrived from NK Celje in Slovenia — is an interesting person.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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What’s interesting is the NBA has moved away from some events that either have become stale or manipulated, such as the skills competition giving way at next week’s All-Star Weekend.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 7th place on iSpot’s ranking was Amazon’s Alexa+ spot starring Chris Hemsworth, who runs through several horrifying thought experiments about how the advanced AI might be plotting to murder him in his own home.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
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Fashion Deals If your suitcase is already plotting its next trip, these February clothing and shoe deals are worth a look.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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These small pets’ active and engaging behavior, from zipping around the tank and finding places to hide in solo play to following movement outside the tank in interactive play, can keep a kid’s attention.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
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Hadi tells an engaging story, brings complex and surprising characters to life, lends a locale an aesthetic iconography, and renders personal identity inextricable from the forces of history that shaped or deformed it.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intriguing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intriguing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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