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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pique
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
3 Mar. 2026
Their latest collection launched this week, offering men’s straight jeans and women’s baggy jeans alongside sporty items like half-zip sweatshirts, pique polo shirts and boxy oxford shirts.
—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
16 June 2026
That should be enough to pique the interest of most collectors out there, but, if not, the vehicle is also one of just 101 imported to the EU.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pique
Noun
The administration has tried everything in its toolbox to stop it, based on not data or studies or anything much beyond rich-old-man pique.
—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
3 Mar. 2026
Their latest collection launched this week, offering men’s straight jeans and women’s baggy jeans alongside sporty items like half-zip sweatshirts, pique polo shirts and boxy oxford shirts.
—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) new virtualization software promotion will likely pique the interest of end users and resellers who are unhappy with Broadcom’s pricing of VMware.
—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
16 June 2026
That should be enough to pique the interest of most collectors out there, but, if not, the vehicle is also one of just 101 imported to the EU.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pique
Noun
-
But anger is only an occasionally riveting spice in this show, not the dominant emotion.
-
The decision against Rong Chhun, a top adviser to the Nation Power Party, was met with anger by supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court complex in Phnom Penh.
Verb
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Damian used to get annoyed with his father's motivational chats about responsibility.
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Three hours before the parade is set to begin, paradegoers are already annoyed at the disorganization and slow-moving lines.
Verb
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This ends up being just one of Aemond’s defining moments, which further provokes war.
-
Israel has launched frequent campaigns against Hezbollah, most notably in 2006, when a Hezbollah cross-border raid and the capture of two Israeli soldiers provoked an extensive Israeli air and ground operation that lasted more than a month.
Verb
-
The burger joint prides itself on its no-frills menu featuring cheese curds, craft sodas and Happiness Meals for the kiddos.
-
That turn is notable in a country that has prided itself on keeping the far right at the margins, and whose own history of colonization and emigration has generally made such politics a hard sell.
Noun
-
Rhodes celebrated with the crowd at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, while Gunther walked back up the entrance ramp in a huff.
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
Verb
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Residents were advised that while smoke may be irritating—particularly for those sensitive to air quality—there is currently no order for evacuation or shelter-in-place, despite a similar order already having been issued and lifted twice since the fire's ignition.
-
Ammonia is a common industrial chemical that can irritate the eyes and respiratory system when present in elevated concentrations.
Verb
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Nick Engen and Taylor Calmus CBS To help encourage fathers navigating similar experiences, Taylor Calmus, creator of the popular online Dude Dad brand, visited the NICU ahead of Father's Day to surprise Engen and other dads with gift bags filled with supplies.
-
You are encouraged to sit and lounge and read.
Noun
-
Those frustrations could be on the verge of boiling over.
-
But without knowing the reasons behind those decisions, the criticism amounts to nothing more than frustrations over unmet expectations.
Cite this Entry
“Pique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pique. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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