1
as in annoyed
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provoked
to rouse to strong feeling or action
their sarcastic comments piqued him to respond in kind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prided
to think highly of (oneself)
she piques herself on her considerable musical abilities
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in infuriated
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 piqued
Nick Franck, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Brutus piqued top recruit Jeremiah Smith’s interest before Florida had much of a chance.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
However, a suspicious hit to an IP address belonging to a device on a boat off of Barbados has reportedly piqued authorities’ interest.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
That really piqued my curiosity.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
But when Stueland got the call to interview for the role and started to explore the opportunity, her curiosity was piqued.
—Harriet Taylor, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
When our emotions get piqued, whether for good or for bad, that’s also exhausting.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
During the race, my interest was piqued when Brazilian national treasure Fernanda Torres weighed in on Instagram, supporting The Secret Agent.
—Morgan Baila, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
The three-time Pro Bowler's ominous social media behavior certainly piqued the interest of several concerned Eagles fans.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Her interest was piqued by the intricate and delicate anatomy of the head.
—Nick Franck, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Brutus piqued top recruit Jeremiah Smith’s interest before Florida had much of a chance.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
However, a suspicious hit to an IP address belonging to a device on a boat off of Barbados has reportedly piqued authorities’ interest.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
That really piqued my curiosity.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
But when Stueland got the call to interview for the role and started to explore the opportunity, her curiosity was piqued.
—Harriet Taylor, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
When our emotions get piqued, whether for good or for bad, that’s also exhausting.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
During the race, my interest was piqued when Brazilian national treasure Fernanda Torres weighed in on Instagram, supporting The Secret Agent.
—Morgan Baila, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
The three-time Pro Bowler's ominous social media behavior certainly piqued the interest of several concerned Eagles fans.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piqued
Verb
-
One report, citing a source close to Sheridan, even claimed the writer was annoyed that Paramount sent too many of its top suits to a meeting designed to keep Sheridan onboard, arguing that Ellison had messed up by bringing more than two execs along with him.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Simonson suggested that bartenders don’t really disdain the Bloody Mary; they just are annoyed at having to make what is almost universally considered a brunch drink after hours.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.—
Luke Leitch,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The move has provoked fierce criticism in France, a country that prides itself on craftsmanship, sustainability and haute couture.—
NPR,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
United have long prided themselves on staunch defending.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
For a company that has prided itself on organizational stability throughout Cook’s tenure, the simultaneous departure of multiple senior executives marks a significant shift.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Berwald isn't alone in being bothered by misbehaving kids at breweries.—
Jordyn Noennig,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Lehrer — who has maintained his innocence to Rolling Stone claimed he wasn’t bothered by the road ordeal — has been locked away in Dominica State Prison for over two years now.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maintaining positive ties with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung would continue the lattice-like foreign policy encouraged by Washington, one that favors multilateral cooperation among like-minded nations over bilateral dependence.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Electric telegraph lines and railroads encouraged and were encouraged by a new age of imperial expansion, commodity extraction, industrialization, urban growth, global migration, rising population, and scientific development, among other things.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Several Love Is Blind and Perfect Match alums congratulated the couple in the comments section.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Brett Favre took to social media on X and congratulated Love on his performance.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Health experts and Black leaders were outraged at his statement.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Parents would likely be outraged to learn the department isn’t more consistently tracking this information, said Charles Hobson, a professor at Indiana University Northwest and a board member of the advocacy group Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct & Exploitation.—
Danielle DuClos,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But those movements further irritated a rib injury that Hendrix first sustained during Wicked night.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The decision by Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, to go on a media tour in recent weeks while negotiating publicly in hopes of landing a better offer for Kuminga, irritated some with the organization, according to league sources.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piqued.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piqued. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share