intrigue

noun in·trigue \ ˈin-ˌtrēg , in-ˈtrēg \

|Updated on: 21 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: intrigue in a Sentence

Definition of intrigue

1 a : the practice of engaging in secret schemes

b : a secret scheme : machination

2 : a clandestine love affair

See intrigue defined for English-language learners

Examples of intrigue in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of intrigue from the Web

The intrigue surrounding the selection was, of course, classic Trump, from an interview process that resembled a matchmaking show to the pageantry of the prime-time announcement.

— brian bennett, Time, "How Brett Kavanaugh Could Change the Supreme Court—and America," 12 July 2018
This guide contains all of The Bee's pre-draft coverage, diving into the intrigue surrounding the three favorites: Duke's Marvin Bagley III, Missouri's Michael Porter Jr. and Luka Doncic, an overseas teen sensation for Real Madrid.

— jon schultz, sacbee, "A procrastinator's guide to the Sacramento Kings’ 2018 NBA draft," 21 June 2018
Not surprisingly there is an abundance of intrigue surrounding the LSA decision.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "Rocket Report: NASA chief sort of endorses SLS; Russia woes; Virgin Orbit," 8 June 2018
Former president and near-miss First Man Bill Clinton is on tour right now promoting his first foray into the world of fiction, a tale of political intrigue co-written with James Patterson.

— jay willis, GQ, "Bill Clinton Still Doesn't Get It," 6 June 2018
McCain also gives his most complete version of his role in intrigue surrounding a dossier of salacious research and raw intelligence on Trump and his connections with the Russians.

— dan nowicki, azcentral, "5 takeaways from Sen. John McCain's new memoir, 'The Restless Wave'," 16 May 2018
That was amplified this year, with more intrigue surrounding a first round than NFL teams, agents or media members could recall in quite some time.

— jenny vrentas, SI.com, "24 Hours ... With Bradley Chubb and His Team at the NFL Draft," 1 May 2018
The first round of the 2018 NBA playoffs are underway with games across the country and intrigue surrounding each matchup.

— tim brown, OregonLive.com, "Meet the officials for Trail Blazers-Pelicans Game 2: Is this a good referee crew?," 17 Apr. 2018
The director's ability to design fictional worlds and combine them with fantastical scenarios and misfit characters is unparalleled and highlights the intrigue surrounding this film.

— Teenlink, "Isle Of Dogs: A Mechanical Phenomenon," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intrigue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of intrigue

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1609

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

intrigue Synonyms

Synonyms

conspiracy, design, machination, plot, scheme;

Related Words

counterconspiracy, counterplot;

frame-up;

manipulation, subterfuge, trickery;

artifice, contrivance, cover-up, dodge, draft, maneuver, stratagem, trick;

cabal, confederacy, ring;

game, gimmick, racket;

ground plan, program, strategy, system;

collusion, complicity, connivance, conniving, conspiration;

Synonym Discussion of 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

intrigue

verb in·trigue \ in-ˈtrēg \

Definition of intrigue

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 ¹intrigue); especially : plot, scheme

—

intriguer

noun

See intrigue defined for English-language learners

See intrigue defined for kids

Examples of intrigue in a Sentence

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