piquing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of piquingnext
as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction piquing remarks that were said mainly to get a rise out of the other guests at the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piquing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of pique
1
as in bothering
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 provoking
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 priding
to think highly of (oneself) she piques herself on her considerable musical abilities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquing
  1. provocative
  2. bothering
  3. provoking
  4. charged
  5. encouraging
  6. stimulating
  7. exciting
  8. irritating
Adjective
  • Sign up for the Race/Related Newsletter Join a deep and provocative exploration of race, identity and society with New York Times journalists.
    Catherine Porter, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Watch on Deadline The elder Le Pen was known for his brash, charismatic speeches and provocative and incendiary opinions on immigration, the European Union, culture and traditionalism, and religion, especially around faiths such as Islam and Judaism.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Definition of provocative
Verb
  • Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.
    Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
  • In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.
    Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • The ceremony came at a charged moment, coinciding with Columbia University canceling its graduation ceremony (and largely closing off its campus).
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 May 2024
  • Of course, genocide is a charged and redolent term, recalling the systematic precision of the Holocaust and the society-wide butchery of the Rwandan genocide.
    Kristina Hook, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2022
Definition of charged
Verb
  • Unfortunately, current leadership isn’t fostering a new narrative or encouraging positive change.
    Jennifer Guzman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025
  • The recent record highs in the S&P 500 were partly driven by optimism that the Federal Reserve would continue cutting interest rates through 2025, making borrowing cheaper and encouraging economic activity.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • But at the time, the theory that providing children with stimulating activities would help them more than rote learning and academic drills was revolutionary.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
  • For only the second time in at least a decade, top leaders last month made stimulating spending and domestic demand their top priority in 2025.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune Asia, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of stimulating
Adjective
  • Young galleries featuring emerging artists working across diverse disciplines are on an exciting trajectory.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
  • The Idaho Bag Count on The Row to make a subtle carryall feel exciting.
    Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025
Definition of exciting
Verb
  • Cover irritating clothing seams with a smooth material such as silk to avoid abrasive irritation.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025
  • At Abercrombie & Fitch Packed with conditioning and hydrating castor oil, argan oil & coconut oil, this eyelash & brow growth serum will help promote the appearance of longer, fuller looking lashes and brows without the use of irritating or harmful ingredients.
    refinery29.com, refinery29.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Definition of irritating
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near piquing

piques

piquing

piracy

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Cite this Entry

“Piquing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquing. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on piquing

Nglish: Translation of piquing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of piquing for Arabic Speakers

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