pique

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.

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