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

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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 historical setting suits the filmmaker’s penchant for patience and precision, and its confounding intrigue keeps with his love of complex mind games. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026 After days and days of speculation, intrigue and multi-million-dollar charity donations, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are now officially married. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2026

Verb

But Kaplan also was intrigued by other labs’ findings that mast cells could fend off a common type of skin bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 That journey validated why Coward became intrigued with joining an independent sports agency. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for intrigue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intrigue

Noun

Former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in federal court during an afternoon hearing in the more than 20-month-long corruption case.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 6 July 2026
After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Verb

That will really set the tone for that day, which is just being plotted out now, to really engage in a conversation that will be open to industry pass holders, press, and public to talk about the future of independent film.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026
Sources tell OutKick that Pitaro backed Mark Jones in 2020 when Jones falsely accused police officers of plotting to shoot him.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of plot

Noun

The Empire State Building frequently switches up its lighting scheme to commemorate special events throughout the year.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
The other company whose shares were manipulated in the scheme, E-Waste, had an even higher market cap at some point, despite being nothing more than a shell company.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Definition of scheme

Verb

The Vesuvius disaster and its immense human toll continue to fascinate historians and the public millennia later.

— Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Denby, as a critic, was fascinated by the great dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, as much for his expressions as for his torso, arms, or legs.

— Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

There is a wide open space for Democrats to occupy that territory.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Beneath those practical debates, however, American lawyers have gradually come to understand themselves as occupying two roles simultaneously, as Robert Gordon described.

— Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of occupy

Verb

Guests can opt to immerse in the buzz of Queenstown, or tuck into the property’s over-staffed elegance, as the property has an exceptionally high staff-to-guest ratio.

— Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
For those who want to truly immerse themselves in American history, these are must-visit sites.

— Heather Bien, Southern Living, 1 July 2026

Definition of immerse

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intricateness

intrigue

intrigued

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“Intrigue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intrigue. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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