intrigue

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

Definition of intrigue

1 a :a secret scheme :machination

b :the practice of engaging in secret schemes

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 gem, which would come to be known as the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, wove its way through Indian court intrigues before eventually ending up in the British Crown Jewels by the mid-1800s.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The True Story of the Koh-i-Noor Diamond—And Why the British Won’t Give It Back," 30 Aug. 2017
The eight person cast navigates intrigue and suspicion while dropping hints to the audience to unravel a murder at an English countryside estate.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Dunes mystery 'Mousetrap' and Mercury's 'Hair' both timely tickets," 15 Aug. 2017
For all matters related to on-court issues, the Western & Southern's usual high standard for competition and intrigue remains consistent with past iterations of the competition.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Infrastructure, storylines should make for enjoyable 2017 W&S Open," 12 Aug. 2017
But the board seems to be taking steps to head off future intrigues nevertheless.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "Is Travis Kalanick’s Ambition Undermining Uber?," 7 Aug. 2017
But the board seems to be taking steps to head off future intrigues nevertheless.

— vanityfair.com, "Is Travis Kalanick’s Ambition Undermining Uber?," 7 Aug. 2017
So much intrigue still surrounds one of the most infamous moments in Cubs’ lore that the longer Bartman has stayed silent, the more the mystery has deepened.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Closure a myth until we see and hear from Steve Bartman," 1 Aug. 2017
Contrary to claims from defenders of Mr Trump, a freelance bid by a junior Democratic operative to get dirt on Mr Manafort from the Ukrainians does not compare to this intrigue.

— The Economist, "The Trumps and RussiaWill Donald junior’s conduct jolt Republicans?," 15 July 2017
The play has intrigue, comedy and drama as Mara goes into hiding from Rott and emerges as a heroine in spreading the warning of her findings, despite the efforts of Rott and his associates to silence Mara.

— marvin glassman, Jewish Journal, "Climate change in Florida subject of play 'Firemen Are Rarely Necessary'," 6 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

intrigue Synonyms

Synonyms

conspiracy, design, plot, machination, scheme

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

play

verb in·trigue \ in-ˈtrēg \

Definition of intrigue

intrigued; intriguing

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

—

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

Recent Examples of intrigue from the Web

The team is intrigued by the potential that got him drafted in the first round by the Eagles in 2014 and seem to be looking for reasons to keep him around.

— bob condotta, The Seattle Times, "Seahawks’ players to watch against the Raiders: Boykin, Darboh, Desir and more," 30 Aug. 2017
Ms. Whitman, who was steering Hewlett Packard Enterprise through a challenging landscape for corporate technology, was intrigued by the possibility of leading a turnaround at Uber.

— mike isaac, New York Times, "Inside Uber’s Wild Ride in a Search of a New C.E.O.," 29 Aug. 2017
But they’re also intrigued by how the white supremacy movement is rebranding itself for the 21st century.

— sharon jayson, Kaiser Health News, "Charlottesville Postmortem: Why People Join Hate Groups," 24 Aug. 2017
Ajay Goel, a cancer researcher and director of Baylor University’s Center for Gastrointestinal Research, has been intrigued by curcumin’s potential as an anti-inflammatory for decades.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "What should you make of the health claims for turmeric?," 20 Aug. 2017
I was really intrigued by that and liked the thought of seeing things people don't see.

— pat mcdonogh, The Courier-Journal, "Amateur photographer captures forgotten lives, urban decay, and abandonment in Louisville," 16 Aug. 2017
Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Suspect in Unrelated Rape Is Person of Interest in Case of Presumed-Dead Mich. Woman Who Disappeared in December," 19 July 2017
Other cities are intrigued by the Brooklyn model, which seems to work best in places with a history of manufacturing and links to a strong local economy.

— The Economist, "Man-buns and factory workUrban manufacturing in Brooklyn," 13 July 2017
And one other aspect of Darwin’s story about the Staffordshire estate intrigued Thoreau: its human element.

— Longreads, "Late in Life, Thoreau Became a Serious Darwinist," 13 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of intrigue

see ¹intrigue

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1612

See Words from the same year

intrigue Synonyms

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

INTRIGUE Defined for English Language Learners

intrigue

play

noun

Definition of intrigue for English Language Learners

: the activity of making secret plans
: a secret plan

intrigue

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verb

Definition of intrigue for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) want to know more about something : to cause (someone) to become interested
: to make secret plans

INTRIGUE Defined for Kids

intrigue

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verb in·trigue \ in-ˈtrēg \

Definition of intrigue for Students

intrigued; intriguing

1 :to arouse the interest or curiosity of

The mystery intrigues me.

2 :²plot 1, scheme

His enemies intrigued against him.

intrigue

play

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

Definition of intrigue for Students

:a secret and complex plot

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intrigue

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