pique 1 of 2

pique

2 of 2

verb

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as in to pride
to think highly of (oneself) she piques herself on her considerable musical abilities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pique distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of pique are dudgeon, huff, offense, resentment, and umbrage. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

When is it sensible to use dudgeon instead of pique?

In some situations, the words dudgeon and pique are roughly equivalent. However, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When can huff be used instead of pique?

The meanings of huff and pique largely overlap; however, huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

When would offense be a good substitute for pique?

The words offense and pique are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When is resentment a more appropriate choice than pique?

While in some cases nearly identical to pique, resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

When might umbrage be a better fit than pique?

The synonyms umbrage and pique are sometimes interchangeable, but umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

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 pique
Noun
The moment called for careful diplomacy, not a fit of pique. Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025 His proposal appears to be related to his pique about migration across the southern border. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
Any food that involves a flavorful filling wrapped in some sort of dough — gyoza, pierogi, samosas, mandu, empanadas, ravioli, etc. — immediately piques my interest. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 My interest had been piqued years before when visiting the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters for work. Frances MacDougall, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pique
Noun
  • The Cost of Negative Emotions in Financial Decision-Making On the flip side, negative emotions, such as anxiety, anger, and sadness, were shown in our study to be associated with a shorter financial time horizon.
    Shane Enete, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • This void has to be filled because there's so much anger, anger not just in red districts, but also in blue districts.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With Connecticut facing the possibility of exceeding the cap by $61 million, Lamont is reining in spending, annoying some liberal Democrats who note that the state is simultaneously looking at a budget surplus.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Also keeping with that theme are tons of Marvel references to the point that Mara (who starred in 2015’s Fantastic Four) was likely getting annoyed.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Gal Gadot's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony provoked protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
    Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The comments provoked a public spat on X between the tech billionaire and several current and retired astronauts.
    NBC News, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The company prides itself on creating workplace options for women.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The fast-food spot that prides itself on Southern hospitality started in Birmingham, Alabama, but now has around 200 locations across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Verb
  • Salt grains may be irritating, especially for people with sensitive skin types.
    Susan Bard, Health, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to the on-again, off-again tariffs and the militarization of the border, Trump has irritated Mexico by renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • On April 5, disenfranchised Americans are being encouraged to protest the Trump administration's policies as part of a national movement in myriad cities, hosted by a group of older Americans called Third Act.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The president also encouraged Republicans to vote early.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me.
    Denise Primbet, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The First Amendment’s free speech protection is under siege by the Trump administration and that should bother every American, including Republicans.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pique. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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