as in anger
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity
in a fit of pique she posted embarrassing photos of her ex-boyfriend on the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
her seat companion piqued her by repeatedly poking her in the ribs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
their sarcastic comments piqued him to respond in kind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pique
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
But his message to Støre displayed a much more personal motivation—essentially a fit of pique at not being lauded by Norway’s most prestigious institution.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Andrew Weeks, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
By using seaweed in unexpected ways, restaurants can pique curiosity about the macroalgae’s different forms and push the boundaries of its culinary potential.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pique
Noun
Their latest collection launched this week, offering men’s straight jeans and women’s baggy jeans alongside sporty items like half-zip sweatshirts, pique polo shirts and boxy oxford shirts.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
But his message to Støre displayed a much more personal motivation—essentially a fit of pique at not being lauded by Norway’s most prestigious institution.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
The young boy’s interest was piqued.
—Andrew Weeks, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
By using seaweed in unexpected ways, restaurants can pique curiosity about the macroalgae’s different forms and push the boundaries of its culinary potential.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pique
Noun
-
In response to that outpouring of anger, the government said Starmer acknowledged fear within the community.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
The anger is understandable, but it’s pointed in the wrong direction.—
Robert Johnson,
Rolling Stone,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The non-meat use of the term came from the online chat room community, which by the late 1980s was already using it to denote a mass influx of data into their chat rooms that could trigger a computer crash and/or annoy chat room users.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the president doesn’t get annoyed with him once or twice.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Declaration’s insurrectionist contention—that people, when unjustly provoked, have the right to dissolve their government—hung heavily in a country that had just witnessed the eleven states of the Confederacy make the same argument.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchéz, are honorary chairs and lead sponsors of the gala — which has provoked an activist group to call for a boycott of the event.—
Ivy Buck,
NPR,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
According to the webpage, MidnighTreats also prides itself in using sustainable supplies, such as compostable cups, cornstarch utensils, aluminum water bottles and paper straws.—
Jane Godiner,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After the Ground Zero event, the monarch, who prides himself on his environmental advocacy, will head uptown for a meeting in Harlem with a group that promotes urban farming programs for children and young people affected by hunger and food insecurity.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.—
Sarah Grant,
New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2026
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Valve’s timing also coincided with a tenuous time for Windows, when Microsoft was asking users to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11, an OS with a reputation for being irritating and having higher system requirements.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
-
What surprised me the most is how the fragrance doesn’t irritate my skin.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials also encourage businesses to give customers a glimpse of how dim sum is made through live-streaming.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
Becerra proposes to require cities and counties to approve or deny building permits within 90 days, loosening certain regulations for infill projects and reforming construction defect laws to encourage more construction of entry-level condos.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Most fans understand that the need for more professional-caliber resources wasn’t going to be met under Mohegan Tribe ownership, but there is deep frustration over the Sun’s relocation out of New England.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But for the residents and business-owners, the possibility of another set of G train outage evoked frustration after two years of service suspensions while crews worked to upgrade the signaling system on the Crosstown Line.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pique. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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