Definition of pique
:a transient feeling of wounded vanity :resentment
- a fit of pique
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Examples of pique in a Sentence
- And yet the democracy flourishing in Taiwan has been greeted in other parts of the Chinese-speaking world with a certain pique, and even with hostility. —Ian Buruma, New Republic, 3 Apr. 2000
- … when a beast that weighs 1,200 pounds goes crazy with some kind of stupid pique or jealousy in a room not much bigger than the handicapped stall in the Denver airport men's room, bad things will happen … —Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
- He hit balls toward the umpire's chair and out of the stadium: he spat water toward the umpire on changeovers; and in still greater fits of pique, he broke three rackets. —Jamie Diaz, Sports Illustrated, 2 Mar. 1987
After a moment of pique, the senator responded calmly to his accusers.
He slammed the door in a fit of pique.
Origin and Etymology of pique
pique Synonyms
Synonyms
dudgeon, huff, miff, offense (or offence), peeve, resentment, umbrageRelated Words
aggravation, anger, annoyance, bother, botheration, discomfort, exasperation, frustration, grief, irritation, vexation; agitation, angriness, displeasure, distress, disturbance, indignation, irateness, ire, outrage, perturbation, upset; dander, temper; fit, pet, pouts, sulk (s), tantrum, tizzy; affront, barb, brickbat, dig, indignity, insult, put-down, slap, slight, slurNear Antonyms
satisfaction; appeasement, mollification, pacification; contentment, delight, gratification, happiness, pleasureSynonym Discussion of pique
offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity. offense implies hurt displeasure.
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- takes deep offense at racial slurs
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- harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother
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- took umbrage at the offer of advice
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- in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation
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- stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon
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- in a huff he slammed the door
Definition of pique
piqued;
piquing
transitive verb
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 in a Sentence
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Brightly colored objects pique a baby's interest.
her seat companion piqued her by repeatedly poking her in the ribs
Origin and Etymology of pique
pique Synonyms
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, vexRelated 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, outrageNear Antonyms
appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, sootheSynonym Discussion of pique
provoke, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking. provoke directs attention to the response called forth.
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- my stories usually provoke laughter
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- news that excited anger and frustration
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- stimulating conversation
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- that remark piqued my interest
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- the high salary quickened her desire to have the job
Definition of piqué
1
:a durable ribbed clothing fabric of cotton, rayon, or silk
2
:decoration of a tortoiseshell or ivory object with inlaid fragments of gold or silver
Origin and Etymology of piqué
French piqué, from past participle of piquer to prick, quilt
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