piquing 1 of 2

adjective

as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction piquing remarks that were said mainly to get a rise out of the other guests at the party

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piquing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of pique
1
as in bothering
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provoking
to rouse to strong feeling or action their sarcastic comments piqued him to respond in kind

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in priding
to think highly of (oneself) she piques herself on her considerable musical abilities

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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 piquing
Verb
Last but certainly not least, In the City is piquing interest as well. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 July 2026 In the meantime, Mars in Gemini makes an alignment with Jupiter in Leo, increasing our self-confidence and piquing our curiosities. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 In the meantime, a few more reports and photos of the unusual bird came in from San Clemente and Dana Point the next day, piquing interest even more. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 28 May 2026 Bardet credits this research for piquing his interest in this subject. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 What that’s code for — and what’s piquing Andrew’s caretaker tendencies along with his pheromones — is a certain kind of big-eyed helplessness. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026 Iconix Brands Group pioneered the approach in the prior decade, piquing the interest of Salter, who iterated on the concept. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025 Interestingly enough, the tumulus represents a meeting of Roman and Celtic traditions, though, by the looks of it, this funerary monument, possibly attached to a stately though unknown elite, was a symbolic gesture, piquing intrigue and revealing a slice of Roman life rarely seen. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025 Romelu Lukaku are piquing interest. — Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquing
  1. provocative
  2. bothering
  3. provoking
  4. priding
  5. charged
  6. bugging
  7. encouraging
  8. congratulating
Adjective
  • The songs feature confident lyricism and insights into the star’s personal life, and both arrived alongside provocative music videos that expand Black’s exciting and unique visual world.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
  • The ad’s most provocative image was of American soldiers’ tombs at the Arlington National Cemetery.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of provocative
Verb
  • Wasps are generally more interested in building their colony and finding food than in bothering people.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
  • But after going ahead, England manager Thomas Tuchel tried to shut the back door by throwing on countless defenders and not bothering to attack Argentina anymore.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • As a founder of the San Isidro Movement, Otero Alcántara used performance art to challenge the Cuban government, repeatedly provoking authorities through works involving the national flag, public demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026
  • Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.
    — Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of provoking
Verb
  • The property offers a variety of programs and activities for children and families, priding itself on being a multigenerational spot to return to again and again.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • Suitcases rarely push the $400 mark while priding themselves on chicness and durability; accessories like toiletry bags, too, come in at under $40 and yet retain an aspirational look worthy of your aesthetic at large.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Definition of priding
Adjective
  • The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.
    — Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of charged
Verb
  • The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
  • His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Definition of bugging
Verb
  • Nearly everything Irene does here is monstrous, and yet Corsini never stops encouraging viewers to search for the heartbroken woman suddenly obscured by a wild avatar of self-protection.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
  • Some parent advocacy groups are encouraging families to ask for one anyway.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • The company congratulating itself on near-free production has, in many cases, simply handed the durable margin to whoever owns the scarce input.
    — François Candelon, Fortune, 24 July 2026
  • Following the loss, the royal account shared a post congratulating the team on their impressive run, with a photo of team captain Harry Kane comforting star midfielder Jude Bellingham.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Definition of congratulating

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Cite this Entry

“Piquing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquing. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of piquing for Spanish Speakers

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