Intrigue

Quick meaning: Intrigue is a noun meaning A complicated or clandestine plot or scheme intended to affect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.

Meaning

A complicated or clandestine plot or scheme intended to affect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.

More Meanings

1. The plot of a play, poem or romance; the series of complications in which a writer involves their imaginary characters.
2. Clandestine intercourse between persons; illicit intimacy; a liaison or affair.
3. (intransitive) To conceive or carry out a secret plan intended to harm; to form a plot or scheme.
4. (transitive) To arouse the interest of; to fascinate.
5. (intransitive) To have clandestine or illicit intercourse.
6. (transitive) To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate.

Example Sentences

[…] lost in such a jungle of intrigues, pettifoggings, treacheries, diplomacies domestic and foreign […]

In 1679 and 1680 there were persistent rumors of an intrigue between Mary, Lady Grey, and the Duke of Monmouth.

Scenic illusions such as those caused by the haze, or the apparent diminution of scale where everything was enormous, intrigued Dutton.

I often used to smile at a young Ensign of the Guards, who always popped [pawned] his sword and watch when he wanted cash for an intrigue; […]

Word Forms

• intrigues
• intriguing
• intrigued

Synonyms for intrigue

Depending on context, synonyms include machination, scheme, connive, fascinate.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include machination, connive, scheme, fascinate, conspiracy, plot.

Related Dictionary Tools