as in anger
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to annoy
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 to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
their sarcastic comments piqued him to respond in kind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pique
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Hobert wanted to pique listeners’ interest.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Even Jackson Lamb, who’d been reluctant to endorse Shirley’s suspicion that Roddy was targeted deliberately by a van that nearly killed him, admits that Roddy’s romantic relationship was finally enough to pique his interest.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pique
Noun
No way the continually warring Gallagher brothers would make it through the first 17 shows in the U.K. and Ireland the past six weeks and arrive in North America without one of them throwing a punch at the other or smashing a guitar in a fit of pique.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Hobert wanted to pique listeners’ interest.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
When our emotions get piqued, whether for good or for bad, that’s also exhausting.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Even Jackson Lamb, who’d been reluctant to endorse Shirley’s suspicion that Roddy was targeted deliberately by a van that nearly killed him, admits that Roddy’s romantic relationship was finally enough to pique his interest.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pique
Noun
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Reactions to the extraordinary news spread quickly, ranging from surprise to anger at the league itself, according to five people who work inside or closely with the NBA, all of whom were granted anonymity because they were not permitted to speak publicly about the matter.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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Is that your way of expressing the anger and exhaustion that so many people feel in the country right now?—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While Johnson had plenty to be pleased with, he was annoyed by the number of penalties and said the offense has to do a better job of running the football.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
-
They’re built not to resist developers but, as their name suggests, they’re intentionally designed, with a degree of malice, to annoy someone specific.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Not retaining his services would have provoked outrage.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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But the forcefulness of pastors' rhetoric about Kirk has provoked conflicting feelings for some believers.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet in a move that’s out of character for the automaker that prides itself on offering seemingly unlimited levels of customization, each car will be identical—there’s no option for personalization.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
22 Oct. 2025
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Self-care can feel like a luxury for busy leaders who pride themselves on hard work and consistent productivity.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The formula was comfortable and didn’t irritate my skin or leave any residue.—
Essence,
Essence,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The lord didn’t much care for that, which of course only made Heinzelmann want to irritate him further.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ultimately, the moment encouraged the Soviet population to agitate for household comforts.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Building a bat house can encourage them to stick around a little longer and eat up all those pesky insects.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Not the kind of thrift store that’s actually thrifty, but the kind of thrift store that doesn’t have any price tags because the people who can afford to shop there don’t need to bother themselves with price tags.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Being a double Viking with Swedish and Norman blood on each side of my family, the cold never bothered me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pique. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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