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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provoking
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 priding
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 piquing
Olivia Dubyak,
PEOPLE,
21 June 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
Possibly proving the old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity, with the critical response piquing people’s curiosity, All’s Fair launched at #1 on Hulu’s Top 15 and remained in the top spot for the first three days on platform.
—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 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
Verb
While the Hoka Bondi 9s are my pick for the best sneakers for pregnancy, here are a few other Hoka favorites to check out if these aren’t fully piquing your interest.
—
Olivia Dubyak,
PEOPLE,
21 June 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
Possibly proving the old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity, with the critical response piquing people’s curiosity, All’s Fair launched at #1 on Hulu’s Top 15 and remained in the top spot for the first three days on platform.
—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 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
Adjective
-
Great marketing is often provocative.
-
The move was widely seen as deliberately provocative and triggered rioting across Jerusalem’s Old City.
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Verb
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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.
-
Experts don’t fully agree on how helpful a low-histamine diet—which limits histamine-provoking foods—is for systemic mastocytosis.
Verb
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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.
-
But with a bid to appeal to more women and families, Hooters risks failing to differentiate itself from the dozens of other casual dining chains also priding themselves on being family-friendly, according to Saunders.
Adjective
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At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.
Verb
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The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
-
His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
Verb
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Tree was recognizable for his bright fashion, mullet haircut with prominent bangs, thin mustache and encouraging outlook.
-
Bad choices like that are a through-line for this whole story, all the way back to Otto Hightower encouraging his daughter, Alicent, to befriend Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys.
Verb
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Before executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham could end his draft-night phone call congratulating Swain, the rookie couldn’t keep himself from taking a dig at his new boss’s alma mater.
-
Seated next to Harvey, Laila Edwards grew emotional while congratulating her longtime friend and teammate upon being selected.
Cite this Entry
“Piquing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquing. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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