1
a
: the practice of engaging in secret schemes
b
: a secret scheme : machination
2
: a clandestine love affair
intrigued; intriguing
1
: to arouse the interest, desire, or curiosity of
intrigued by the tale
3
: to get, make, or accomplish by secret scheming
intrigued myself into the club
4
obsolete
: entangle
: to carry on an intrigue (see intrigue entry 1)
intriguer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of intrigue in a Sentence
Noun
Rolston's work channels the vampish intrigue of vintage Hollywood with a sense of irony and wit that makes the work truly modern.
—
Stephanie Sung, Picture, September/October 2008
In this, as in any other enterprise where there is the promise of money, intrigues and lies and hoodwinking and bullying abound.
—Alice Munro, "Hard-Luck Stories,"
in In the Stacks, 2002
The story began to take on a warm, attractive glow as a Highland romantic epic of heroism and villainy, of intrigue and bravery, complete with comely maidens such as Flora MacDonald and handsome heroes such as Bonnie Prince Charlie himself.
—Arthur Herman, How the Scots Invented the Modern World, 2001
a novel of intrigue and romance
an administration characterized by intrigue and corruption
Verb
One day during math study period, after I'd finished my regular assignment, I took out a fresh sheet of paper and tried to solve a problem that had intrigued me: whether the first player in a game of ticktacktoe can always win, given the right strategy.
—Martin Gardner, Scientific American, August 1998
Bundy was also a man whose thinking in foreign affairs was extremely conventional … but who in the area of domestic policy was curiously more open-minded and unconventional, so that throughout the Kennedy years, friends would be intrigued by the difference in Bundy.
—David Halberstam, Harper's, July 1969
evidence that the leading manufacturers had intrigued to keep prices artificially high
the mystery story intrigued me so that I read it in one sitting
Stephanie Sung, Picture, September/October 2008
In this, as in any other enterprise where there is the promise of money, intrigues and lies and hoodwinking and bullying abound.
—Alice Munro, "Hard-Luck Stories,"
in In the Stacks, 2002
The story began to take on a warm, attractive glow as a Highland romantic epic of heroism and villainy, of intrigue and bravery, complete with comely maidens such as Flora MacDonald and handsome heroes such as Bonnie Prince Charlie himself.
—Arthur Herman, How the Scots Invented the Modern World, 2001
a novel of intrigue and romance
an administration characterized by intrigue and corruption
Verb
One day during math study period, after I'd finished my regular assignment, I took out a fresh sheet of paper and tried to solve a problem that had intrigued me: whether the first player in a game of ticktacktoe can always win, given the right strategy.
—Martin Gardner, Scientific American, August 1998
Bundy was also a man whose thinking in foreign affairs was extremely conventional … but who in the area of domestic policy was curiously more open-minded and unconventional, so that throughout the Kennedy years, friends would be intrigued by the difference in Bundy.
—David Halberstam, Harper's, July 1969
evidence that the leading manufacturers had intrigued to keep prices artificially high
the mystery story intrigued me so that I read it in one sitting
Recent Examples on the WebSimon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
That adds an extra layer of intrigue to this opening-round matchup of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the in-state rivals.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2024
The breathable cotton fabric feels light and airy even on a hot summer day, and the oversized bows on the straps add the perfect amount of intrigue.
—Megan Schaltegger, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024
The longtime Warriors coach said before Tuesday’s game against the Kings at Golden 1 Center that the NBA scored big by introducing the concept in 2020, adding a layer of intrigue to a season.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 17 Apr. 2024
One of the biggest moments of national intrigue involving Simpson occurred on June 17, 1994, when TV programs, including Game 5 of the NBA Finals, were interrupted in order to broadcast the slow-moving pursuit of a white Ford Bronco on empty Southern California freeways.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024
Just as fans were getting accustomed to the idea of Betts making a position change from right field to second base, the Dodgers added another level of intrigue by naming him the everyday shortstop given the defensive struggles of Gavin Lux during spring training.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But almost all of that intrigue will have to wait for a second season, because although the twist is actually the premise of the overall series, the coyness is the point of the first season.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024
But even the name has added to the band’s intrigue and iconography.
—Ryan Bradley MacLeod Andrews Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Dolphins officials are intrigued by the skill set of Marshall running back Rasheen Ali and are flying him to team headquarters to meet with Dolphins officials in the next 10 days, according to a league source.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Thankfully, she was intrigued by Jimmy Choo and learned to reach out to grasp his legs and raise her head to interact with him.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024
Those intrigued hang onto every update, from the moment they're caught until their very last breath.
—Jeff Truesdell, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Its distinct polar and desert regions have intrigued and mystified astronomers for years.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
While that countdown to Election Day — offset by an ever-more paranoid web of intrigued linked to untrustworthy election technology and the malefactors who wield it — might structure the six-part series, individual episodes explore contemporary concerns from unexpected angles.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
The teaser was two hours too short, but I’m intrigued.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024
Several agencies, he was told, were intrigued by his work and interested in talking to him.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
As well as being a luxurious stop on the route between Paris and Madrid, the station has played a prominent role in the valley’s history of intrigue and espionage.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
That adds an extra layer of intrigue to this opening-round matchup of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the in-state rivals.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2024
The breathable cotton fabric feels light and airy even on a hot summer day, and the oversized bows on the straps add the perfect amount of intrigue.
—Megan Schaltegger, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024
The longtime Warriors coach said before Tuesday’s game against the Kings at Golden 1 Center that the NBA scored big by introducing the concept in 2020, adding a layer of intrigue to a season.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 17 Apr. 2024
One of the biggest moments of national intrigue involving Simpson occurred on June 17, 1994, when TV programs, including Game 5 of the NBA Finals, were interrupted in order to broadcast the slow-moving pursuit of a white Ford Bronco on empty Southern California freeways.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024
Just as fans were getting accustomed to the idea of Betts making a position change from right field to second base, the Dodgers added another level of intrigue by naming him the everyday shortstop given the defensive struggles of Gavin Lux during spring training.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But almost all of that intrigue will have to wait for a second season, because although the twist is actually the premise of the overall series, the coyness is the point of the first season.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024
But even the name has added to the band’s intrigue and iconography.
—Ryan Bradley MacLeod Andrews Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
For those intrigued by the world of psychedelic mushrooms and interested in exploring them in a measured and safe manner, magic mushroom chocolates make an excellent choice.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Dolphins officials are intrigued by the skill set of Marshall running back Rasheen Ali and are flying him to team headquarters to meet with Dolphins officials in the next 10 days, according to a league source.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Thankfully, she was intrigued by Jimmy Choo and learned to reach out to grasp his legs and raise her head to interact with him.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024
Those intrigued hang onto every update, from the moment they're caught until their very last breath.
—Jeff Truesdell, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Its distinct polar and desert regions have intrigued and mystified astronomers for years.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
While that countdown to Election Day — offset by an ever-more paranoid web of intrigued linked to untrustworthy election technology and the malefactors who wield it — might structure the six-part series, individual episodes explore contemporary concerns from unexpected angles.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
The teaser was two hours too short, but I’m intrigued.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024
Several agencies, he was told, were intrigued by his work and interested in talking to him.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intrigue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near intrigue
Cite this Entry
“Intrigue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrigue. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intrigue
1 of 2 verb
in·trigue
in-ˈtrēg 
intrigued; intriguing
1
: to get or accomplish by secret plotting
intrigued their way into the party
3
: to arouse the interest or curiosity of
intrigued by the tale
intriguer
noun
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