Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

pique

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of pique

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 of pique

dudgeon, huff, miff, offense (or offence), peeve, resentment, umbrage
Words Related to pique

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, slur
Near Antonyms of pique

satisfaction

appeasement, mollification, pacification

contentment, delight, gratification, happiness, pleasure

Synonym 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.
    • takes deep offense at racial slurs
resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.
    • harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother
umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.
    • took umbrage at the offer of advice
pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.
    • in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation
dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.
    • stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon
huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.
    • in a huff he slammed the door

pique

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of pique

1 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 of pique

aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, irritate, itch, nark [British], nettle, peeve, persecute, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex
Words Related to pique

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, outrage
Phrases Synonymous with pique

get one's goat, get on one's nerves, get to, rub the wrong way, set one's teeth on edge, stick in one's craw, wear on
Near Antonyms of pique

appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate

delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy

assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

2 to rouse to strong feeling or action

  • their sarcastic comments piqued him to respond in kind
Synonyms of pique

arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir
Words Related to pique

fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger

activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize

abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up)

anger, enrage, madden, upset

jeer, taunt, tease

aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex
Phrases Synonymous with pique

build a fire under
Near Antonyms of pique

calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

appease, mollify, pacify, placate

3 to think highly of (oneself)

  • she piques herself on her considerable musical abilities
Synonyms of pique

flatter, plume, pride
Words Related to pique

boast, brag, crow, gasconade, swagger, swank, swash, vapor, vaunt

congratulate, felicitate

Synonym Discussion of pique

provoke, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking. provoke directs attention to the response called forth.
    • my stories usually provoke laughter
excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.
    • news that excited anger and frustration
stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.
    • stimulating conversation
pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.
    • that remark piqued my interest
quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.
    • the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

Learn More about pique

  1. See words that rhyme with pique Dictionary: Definition of pique Spanish Central: Translation of pique Nglish: Translation of pique for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pique for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pique? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

chapel

a private place of worship

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games