INTRIGUE Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'intrigue' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of intrigue are cabal , conspiracy , machination , and plot . While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity. // backstairs intrigue

Q: When might 'cabal' be a better fit than 'intrigue'?

The synonyms cabal and intrigue are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence. // a cabal among powerful senators

Q: In what contexts can 'conspiracy' take the place of 'intrigue'?

While the synonyms conspiracy and intrigue are close in meaning, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery. // a conspiracy to fix prices

Q: When could 'machination' be used to replace 'intrigue'?

The words machination and intrigue can be used in similar contexts, but machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means. // the machinations of a party boss

Q: When would 'plot' be a good substitute for 'intrigue'?

While in some cases nearly identical to intrigue , plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. // an assassination plot

intrigue 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌtrēg

Definition of intrigue

as in conspiracy

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends the intrigue was quickly discovered, and the would-be assassins were arrested

Synonyms & Similar Words

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intrigue

2 of 2

verb

in-ˈtrēg

as in to plot

to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends evidence that the leading manufacturers had intrigued to keep prices artificially high

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to interest

to hold the attention of the mystery story intrigued me so that I read it in one sitting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun intrigue differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of intrigue are cabal, conspiracy, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

When might cabal be a better fit than intrigue?

The synonyms cabal and intrigue are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

In what contexts can conspiracy take the place of intrigue?

While the synonyms conspiracy and intrigue are close in meaning, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could machination be used to replace intrigue?

The words machination and intrigue can be used in similar contexts, but machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When would plot be a good substitute for intrigue?

While in some cases nearly identical to intrigue, plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

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 intrigue

Noun

The Democratic Party’s shake-up of its calendar for early-state primaries has added to the intrigue as potential 2028 hopefuls fan out across the country to boost midterm candidates. — Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026 From moving images in our neighborhoods to political intrigue at the state Capitol and portraits of area newsmakers, their lenses offer a unique window into life in Sacramento and beyond. — Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Verb

What intrigues you about taking this fish, who’s been out of water, and throwing him back into familiar waters? — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Oct. 2026 Cardellini was also intrigued by the chance to develop Pamela’s unique motivation throughout the series. — William Earl, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intrigue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intrigue

Noun

In 2018, Shkreli was convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy, and the Department of Justice sold the record to help pay his reparations.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Rodriguez Melendez also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

— News Desk, Artforum, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Verb

That's what prosecutors said in opening statements motivated a rap star to plot and carry out the murder of a rival rap artist.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Bolsonaro also called for amnesty for his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest after being found guilty of plotting a coup to overturn his defeat in the 2022 election.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of plot

Verb

What interests me most is the idea of giving young people an ownership stake in a company helping shape the future of space exploration.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Which is perhaps why the inclusion of Atari BASIC interests me more than another collection of retro games.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of interest

Noun

The scheme came to light after Hegarty's sister-in-law, Peggy Hegarty, was contacted by an agent from the rooming house where Hegarty had been taken.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
As part of the scheme, prosecutors allege, Heflin conspired with other companies and individuals to predetermine who would win certain business, at times submitting intentionally inflated bids to schools.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of scheme

Verb

Amid all the con artists and fraudsters this century has produced, Holmes is the one who fascinates us the most.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
He’s always been obsessed with historic epochs like the Civil War and World War II and fascinated with the post-war boom and the sojourns of Route 66.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

He had been courted by an investment group to helm a vast space on North Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood, previously occupied by a Spanish-leaning restaurant called Soulmate.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
In June, Israel launched a preëmptive strike against Egypt, setting off the Six-Day War, and proceeded to occupy the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

— Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of occupy

Verb

Beigel, who previously worked with FBI officers while helming the ESPN 30for30 documentary The Counterfeiter, spent approximately three years immersing himself in the Loofe case.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Doherty, reconnecting with Scotland during visits to see his mother, immersed himself in gritty British cinema by filmmakers Shane Meadows and Ken Loach, as well as music by Massive Attack, Siouxsie and the Banshees and PJ Harvey.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of immerse

Browse Nearby Words

intricateness

intrigue

intrigued

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“Intrigue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intrigue. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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