INTRIGUES Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

intrigues 1 of 2

noun

plural of intrigue

as in conspiracies

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends the intrigue was quickly discovered, and the would-be assassins were arrested

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intrigues

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of intrigue

as in plots

to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends evidence that the leading manufacturers had intrigued to keep prices artificially high

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in interests

to hold the attention of the mystery story intrigued me so that I read it in one sitting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of intrigues

Noun

Netflix announced a second melodrama last December, about the secrets and intrigues of an elite Rio de Janeiro family, created in partnership with Amaia Produções and Conspiração, with general direction by Mauro Mendonça Filho. —

John Hopewell, Variety, 25 May 2026 The rich textures and thick ambiance of The Eyes of Others are pure high modernist 1960s Italian cinema, but De Sica unfurls the film’s winding intrigues with a contemporary sense of suspense, carnality, and visual boldness. —

Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026 Plus the balcony is useful for intrigues and gossiping about the people below, as seen at Lady Danbury’s ball in season one of Bridgerton. —

Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026 Roshanara became Aurangzeb’s informant, keeping him apprised of court intrigues and politics. —

Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Mar. 2026 In The Corner That Held Them, rarely does desire raise its head as the nuns busy themselves with dishonest bishops, honest con men, collapsing spires, inconclusive visions, ecclesiastical intrigues, catty infighting, attempts at levitation, and the plague. —

Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026 Even when insulted or thwarted – by Spanish intrigues on the Florida frontier, by British seizures in the Caribbean, by pamphleteers accusing him of being a monarch in disguise – Washington’s tone remained measured. —

Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026 Dallas has hosted on Thanksgiving every year but two since 1966, and this latest matchup intrigues despite the mediocre records on both sides. —

Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025 If any of that intrigues you, perhaps add a Manukora manuka honey kit to your cart this season. —

Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Nov. 2025

Verb

The allure of fame certainly intrigues, but the financial potential remains hard to ignore. —

Jacqueline Jevtich, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 What about these communities intrigues you and why set the story in that location? —

Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 The menu has a lot of delicious choices, but the one that intrigues my girlfriend is their overnight oat bowl. —

C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 1 Feb. 2026 Diggs, who intrigues Hafley with his length and size, wore a wristband with play calls on it during the game to help, and Hafley said safeties Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams and Javon Bullard can guide Diggs on the field, too. —

Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 All of these have a spiritual edge to them that intrigues me, too. —

Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 15 Dec. 2025 What intrigues you about circling back to the original Power world and that complicated dynamic with Tariq? —

Derek Lawrence, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025 Science fiction intrigues me a lot. —

William Earl, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025 This is a beautiful week to plan a trip, take a course, or follow a philosophical rabbit hole that intrigues you. —

Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 19 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intrigues

Noun

The 1940 novel Darkness at Noon is a fictionalized but highly realistic account of a Soviet official who is arrested under Stalin, is charged with wild anti-Soviet conspiracies, and ultimately chooses to give a public confession.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
The former clerk had become the face of election conspiracies and attempts to undermine voting systems, Cutter said.

— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 20 May 2026