as in angers
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in annoys
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 provokes
to rouse to strong feeling or action
their sarcastic comments piqued him to respond in kind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prides
to think highly of (oneself)
she piques herself on her considerable musical abilities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piques
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
But her movie piques our interest rather than grabbing us by the throat the way a good crime flick should.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Someone piques your interest unexpectedly, Leo.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Having said that, the series piques the interest, especially because of the news that James Spader's Ultron will be a major player here.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Where to Stay If Earl Young’s architecture piques your interest, book a room at Hotel Earl.
—Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 30 Dec. 2025
In a category that traditionally favors serious dramas, this rom-com unfolding against the backdrop of 30 years of Lebanese tragedies plays like a breath of fresh air and piques anticipation for Aris’ next feature.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
If the latter category piques your interest, order the jambalaya or the Catfish Pontchartrain (catfish served with onions, green peppers, celery, and a slightly spicy Southern sauce).
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Your desire for expansion and exploration piques with Venus entering Virgo.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Bettors are showing significant interest in the quirky sport, which piques viewers’ curiosity every four years at the Winter Olympics.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
But her movie piques our interest rather than grabbing us by the throat the way a good crime flick should.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Someone piques your interest unexpectedly, Leo.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Having said that, the series piques the interest, especially because of the news that James Spader's Ultron will be a major player here.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Where to Stay If Earl Young’s architecture piques your interest, book a room at Hotel Earl.
—Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 30 Dec. 2025
In a category that traditionally favors serious dramas, this rom-com unfolding against the backdrop of 30 years of Lebanese tragedies plays like a breath of fresh air and piques anticipation for Aris’ next feature.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
If the latter category piques your interest, order the jambalaya or the Catfish Pontchartrain (catfish served with onions, green peppers, celery, and a slightly spicy Southern sauce).
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Your desire for expansion and exploration piques with Venus entering Virgo.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piques
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Think of something that annoys you, connect it to masculinity by adding bro, and proceed as though that bro were a category of person.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At work, Paige (Elle Chapman) punches a coworker who provokes her with truly unkind remarks about her father's death.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
21 Mar. 2026
-
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ponto, a 16-year incumbent, prides himself on building consensus around issues with department heads and the Common Council.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Deep Voodoo prides itself in particular on licensing.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
His approach is to look at what bothers that person the most.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The political rhetoric aimed at ridiculing Canada bothers Johnson.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Haller encourages anyone with an early or strong family history of colon cancer to talk to their doctor and get screened even earlier.—
Emily McLeod,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As Adam reenters the dating world, his sister encourages him to view it as a fresh start, and scenic designer Milo Bue visually evokes the idea of a blank slate by employing off-whites and greys for Adam’s studio apartment in New York City.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lack of communication from airlines during disruptions is a major complaint from customers across carriers, and anything companies can do to alleviate that will help with those frustrations.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The poll suggests the financial pressure of increasing gas prices in the wake of the US attack on Iran has added to Americans’ financial frustrations.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Castor Oil Castor oil irritates the digestive system of the moles and makes the soil less inviting to them.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Weed pollen typically irritates people in the late summer and early fall.—
Seth Jacobson,
wickedlocal.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piques.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piques. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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