as in angers
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 annoys
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 provokes
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 prides
to think highly of (oneself)
she piques herself on her considerable musical abilities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piques
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Someone piques your interest unexpectedly, Leo.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Having said that, the series piques the interest, especially because of the news that James Spader's Ultron will be a major player here.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Where to Stay If Earl Young’s architecture piques your interest, book a room at Hotel Earl.
—Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 30 Dec. 2025
In a category that traditionally favors serious dramas, this rom-com unfolding against the backdrop of 30 years of Lebanese tragedies plays like a breath of fresh air and piques anticipation for Aris’ next feature.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
If the latter category piques your interest, order the jambalaya or the Catfish Pontchartrain (catfish served with onions, green peppers, celery, and a slightly spicy Southern sauce).
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Your desire for expansion and exploration piques with Venus entering Virgo.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
As contrarian investors, this neglect piques our interest.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
But her movie piques our interest rather than grabbing us by the throat the way a good crime flick should.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Someone piques your interest unexpectedly, Leo.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Having said that, the series piques the interest, especially because of the news that James Spader's Ultron will be a major player here.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Where to Stay If Earl Young’s architecture piques your interest, book a room at Hotel Earl.
—Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 30 Dec. 2025
In a category that traditionally favors serious dramas, this rom-com unfolding against the backdrop of 30 years of Lebanese tragedies plays like a breath of fresh air and piques anticipation for Aris’ next feature.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
If the latter category piques your interest, order the jambalaya or the Catfish Pontchartrain (catfish served with onions, green peppers, celery, and a slightly spicy Southern sauce).
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Your desire for expansion and exploration piques with Venus entering Virgo.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
As contrarian investors, this neglect piques our interest.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piques
Verb
-
One of its two young sibling protagonists, Amber (Bianca Belle), channels her feelings about the recent death of her mother into drawings of creatures born out of her troubled imagination, some of whom enact violence against the classmate who annoys her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
There's just one thing about Claire Danes that annoys Matthew Rhys.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pick Up The Perfect Hat The Lazy Draft prides itself on professional hat fittings and customization.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Radical transparency means admitting mistakes Armedangels prides itself on using only chlorine-free wool from certified organic farms.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One thing that bothers him, though, is the calls from GVA asking for cash to shore up financing on the underwater properties as loan rates skyrocketed and monthly debt servicing led to losses.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Most people are able to put the splint away once their plantar fasciitis no longer bothers them.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The hotel encourages guests to turn off the lights, climate control systems, and water whenever they are not needed in an effort to conserve resources.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
That directional pressure mirrors the body’s natural flow patterns and encourages fluid to move centrally so it can be processed and eliminated.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Holly Sleppy, a 52-year-old who works at Virtua, shared her frustrations, which many menopausal women are feeling because of a shortage of the estrogen patches used to treat symptoms like hot flashes, irritability and brain fog.—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Elfman, sharing the board’s frustrations, said Foxboro’s police and fire chiefs have been preparing for the World Cup for over three years.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There’s another distinctly New York habit that irritates Manville — at the end of the performances, theatergoers leap to their feat, not just to applaud, but to whip out their cellphones to record the curtain call.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Somehow, this irritates Helen even more.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piques.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piques. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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