1
as in annoyed
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provoked
to rouse to strong feeling or action
their sarcastic comments piqued him to respond in kind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prided
to think highly of (oneself)
she piques herself on her considerable musical abilities
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in infuriated
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 piqued
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 17 Sep. 2025
However, what has supercharged the project in 2025 and piqued the interest of studios was firstly recognition in April by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of the technology as part of a new industry standard in cinematic accessibility.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Gillespie explains that after seeing his golfing pictures on his profile, Powell decided to lead with that in her reachout, which instantly piqued his interest.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
It’s been a while since Bigelow was a major player on the Oscar scene, but working off of a script from the screenwriter of Jackie (and, um, The Maze Runner), interest will be piqued.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
But what piqued Bogunovic's curiosity was the kind of inflammation these patients carried.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
But — at least in that moment — his interest was piqued enough to explore the idea.
—EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Rumors of the project had piqued the interest of multiple studios and streamers.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Aug. 2025
Trafford’s place on the bench piqued the interest of Bolton’s sporting director, Chris Markham.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Is your interest piqued by the prospect of a new Muppet show?
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 17 Sep. 2025
However, what has supercharged the project in 2025 and piqued the interest of studios was firstly recognition in April by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of the technology as part of a new industry standard in cinematic accessibility.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Gillespie explains that after seeing his golfing pictures on his profile, Powell decided to lead with that in her reachout, which instantly piqued his interest.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
It’s been a while since Bigelow was a major player on the Oscar scene, but working off of a script from the screenwriter of Jackie (and, um, The Maze Runner), interest will be piqued.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
But what piqued Bogunovic's curiosity was the kind of inflammation these patients carried.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
But — at least in that moment — his interest was piqued enough to explore the idea.
—EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Rumors of the project had piqued the interest of multiple studios and streamers.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Aug. 2025
Trafford’s place on the bench piqued the interest of Bolton’s sporting director, Chris Markham.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piqued
Verb
-
Margot’s father still annoyed them from time to time.—
Josh Davis,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Everyone Lee comes into contact with is at minimum annoyed with him most of the time, if not outright hating him.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An international bestseller later turned into a film by Mira Nair, the book owed its success, in part, to its blunt articulation of the fear and loathing provoked by the American Empire even among many of its eager janissaries.—
Pankaj Mishra,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
-
But the vote provoked a firestorm from progressive groups and rank-and-file Democrats, who accused him of capitulating without winning concessions.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Charlie Kirk prided himself on having dialogue with his opponents.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Shaffer was a musical encyclopedia, and his band prided itself on being able to respond almost instantly to anything that happened on the show.—
Chris Almeida,
New Yorker,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Trump said he was bothered that Siebert had been supported by the state’s two Democratic senators.—
Meg Kinnard,
Fortune,
21 Sep. 2025
-
That terminology has always bothered me.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Those who felt the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Her videos have generated an overwhelmingly positive response and she's been encouraged to keep spreading the word.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Several fellow Drag Race alum, including season 13 winner Symone, season 9’s Alexis Michelle and All Stars 8 winner Jimbo, congratulated her in the comments.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
18 Sep. 2025
-
George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes is congratulated by Mercedes CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on April 13, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The horror of Kirk’s murder will serve the demands of the content mill, stoking more outraged engagement among his preëxisting fan base.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Getty Images But the reptile has now been banned from Walmart, a place the pair would regularly frequent, after outraged shoppers sent in photos of her at the store to WPXI last week.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yeah, Silver’s comments really irritated me.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Think flying in spring water to a Caribbean island because a female client thought the local water irritated her scalp.—
Louis J. Esterhazy,
Footwear News,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piqued.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piqued. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share