intrigue

1 of 2

noun

in·​trigue ˈin-ˌtrēg  in-ˈtrēg 

1

a

: the practice of engaging in secret schemes

b

: a secret scheme : machination

2

: a clandestine love affair

intrigue

2 of 2

verb

in·​trigue in-ˈtrēg 

intrigued; intriguing

transitive verb

1

: to arouse the interest, desire, or curiosity of

intrigued by the tale

2

: cheat, trick

3

: to get, make, or accomplish by secret scheming

intrigued myself into the club

4

obsolete : entangle

intransitive verb

: to carry on an intrigue (see intrigue entry 1)

especially : plot, scheme

intriguer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• conspiracy
• design
• machination
• plot
• scheme

Verb

• collude
• compass
• connive
• conspire
• contrive
• machinate
• plot
• put up
• scheme

Choose the Right Synonym for intrigue

plot, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end.

plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

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

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French intricate affair, from Italian intrigo, from intrigare to entangle, from Latin intricare — see intricate

First Known Use

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Kids 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

2

: plot entry 2 sense 2, scheme

3

: to arouse the interest or curiosity of

intrigued by the tale

intriguer noun

intrigue

2 of 2 noun

in·​trigue ˈin-ˌtrēg 

in-ˈtrēg

1

: a secret and complicated scheme : plot

2

: a secret love affair