pique

²pique

verb \ˈpēk\

piquedpiqu·ing

Definition of PIQUE

transitive verb

1

: to arouse anger or resentment in : irritate <what piques linguistic conservatives — T. H. Middleton>

2

a : to excite or arouse especially by a provocation, challenge, or rebuff <sly remarks to pique their curiosity> b : pride <he piques himself on his skill as a cook>

Examples of PIQUE

1. Brightly colored objects pique a baby's interest.
2. <her seat companion piqued her by repeatedly poking her in the ribs>
3. The first chorus … stirred my heart, the second piqued my sense of camp and the rest of them had me checking my watch. —David Gates, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2002
4. The posthumous revelation of Cheever's alcoholism, numerous infidelities and bisexuality may have piqued interest precisely because he presented himself so earnestly as the Man in the Brooks Brothers Suit. —Mary Gordon, New York Times Book Review, 6 Oct. 1991
5. Some environments worry that the natural behavior patterns of whales are being altered by tourist boats that pique the animals' curiosity. —Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 21 Aug. 1989
6. In case your interest is being piqued just an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny … bit, the Davis Cup will confuse you totally by calling every competition between contending teams a “tie.” —Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 11 Apr. 1988

Origin of PIQUE

French piquer, literally, to prick — more at pike

First Known Use: 1669

Related to PIQUE

Synonyms: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, itch, nark [British], nettle, peeve, persecute, irritate, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex

Related Words: hassle, heckle; nag; inflame (also enflame), provoke, rouse; badger, bait, bullyrag (also ballyrag), devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease; anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil; agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry; affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage

Near Antonyms: appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

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See Synonym Discussion at provoke