as in anger
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity
in a fit of pique she posted embarrassing photos of her ex-boyfriend on the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
her seat companion piqued her by repeatedly poking her in the ribs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
their sarcastic comments piqued him to respond in kind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pique
Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
Notwithstanding his pique at Biden’s treatment of him, MBS is looking to the United States to provide a more reliable deterrent against Iran’s nuclear and regional ambitions and more effective means for Saudi Arabia to defend itself against the missile and drone attacks of Iran’s proxies.
—Steven A. Cook, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2022
Alan Burdick, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Jewelry is not in my journalistic remit but when technology meets jewelry, my interest is piqued.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pique
Noun
There’s a knowing performative element to Singer’s pique, yet Freedman’s passion appears genuine, even personal.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
Notwithstanding his pique at Biden’s treatment of him, MBS is looking to the United States to provide a more reliable deterrent against Iran’s nuclear and regional ambitions and more effective means for Saudi Arabia to defend itself against the missile and drone attacks of Iran’s proxies.
—Steven A. Cook, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2022
Verb
This piqued the interest of Dr. John Eng, an endocrinologist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Bronx, who worked with Dr. Raufman to isolate and identify a novel compound, exendin-4, in the lizard’s venom.
—Alan Burdick, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Jewelry is not in my journalistic remit but when technology meets jewelry, my interest is piqued.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pique
Noun
-
Law enforcement officials believe the man, Ramon Morales Reyes, never wrote a letter that Noem and her department shared with a message written in light blue ink expressing anger over Trump’s deportations and threatening to shoot him in the head with a rifle at a rally.—
Mike Balsamo,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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Law enforcement officials believe the man, Ramon Morales Reyes, never wrote a letter that Noem and her department shared with a message written in light blue ink expressing anger over Trump's deportations and threatening to shoot him in the head with a rifle at a rally.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
The comedy as a second-class sibling to the drama is a notion that has annoyed the people who make television comedies for years.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
7 June 2025
-
In some cases, that will be obvious: You’ll get annoyed by weird or loud noises and odors, notice your energy bill has skyrocketed, or spot signs of a leak.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Negotiating with someone who is trying to provoke you is their tactic.—
John Baldoni,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
Daily life in the villa is punctuated by games and challenges, designed to reveal secrets, provoke drama and test the strength of relationships.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Worse yet, for a team that prides itself on winning up front, the Ravens allowed the Bills to rush for 147 yards and three touchdowns.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Even while moving around the country as a military brat, Cyn was a straight-A student who prided herself on never getting a single B on her report card in her entire life.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.—
Oshan Jarow,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
Verb
-
Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump initially tapped to co-lead DOGE, pushed for an expansion of the program as way to attract global talent, irritating immigration hawks in the conservative movement.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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Plus, it’s made without parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, which may irritate some skin types.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
In order to protect his brother, Gi-jun encouraged Ju-woon and Bong-san to stage a coup.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
6 June 2025
-
Trump reportedly encouraged Vance to strike a diplomatic tone publicly.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
In prior birthday events, perhaps a couple arrived early and had a cocktail, but never the rest of the party together, so this hadn’t bothered me before.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
-
Whatever discomfort the 38-year-old was feeling didn’t appear to bother him thereafter.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pique. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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