intrigue

²in·trigue

verb \in-ˈtrēg\

in·triguedin·trigu·ing

Definition of INTRIGUE

transitive verb

1

: cheat, trick

2

: to get, make, or accomplish by secret scheming <intrigued myself into the club>

3

obsolete : entangle

4

: to arouse the interest, desire, or curiosity of <intrigued by the tale>

intransitive verb

: to carry on an intrigue (see ¹intrigue); especially : plot, scheme

— in·trigu·er noun

Examples of INTRIGUE

1. <evidence that the leading manufacturers had intrigued to keep prices artificially high>
2. <the mystery story intrigued me so that I read it in one sitting>
3. 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
4. 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

Origin of INTRIGUE

(see ¹intrigue)

First Known Use: 1612

Related to INTRIGUE

Synonyms: collude, compass, connive, conspire, contrive, plot, machinate, put up, scheme

Related Words: counterplot; brew, concoct, cook (up), devise, hatch; engineer, jockey, maneuver, manipulate; design, frame, lay out, map, plan, shape

Near Antonyms: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

see all synonyms and antonyms

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