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

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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

To add more intrigue to the brewing situation, Country Chord also reported that Langley recently unfollowed Green on Instagram. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The intrigue becomes especially heady when the narrator takes over Weidel’s identity. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

Of the four-person ensemble, I was most intrigued by Rachna Khatau, the wild card of the group whose roles are the most slyly scheming and unpredictable. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 When Brazilian pop star Giulia Be first saw a photo of Conor Kennedy, she was immediately intrigued. — Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intrigue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intrigue

Noun

The attorney general’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will assume jurisdiction over the multi-circuit criminal conspiracy case against Castro.

— Landon Mion , Lorraine Taylor, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Florida has charged Castro alone with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Verb

The distinction matters because operating an unmanned vessel requires more than plotting a route.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
In the years to come, plotting out the dense and often convoluted storylines on a giant dry-erase board would become a staple of the Seinfeld writing process.

— Blake J. Harris, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of plot

Verb

The reaction to this movie fascinates me, starting in Cannes.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
In 2008, passionate surfer Tim Russo purchased the property, renamed it, and set out to organically grow it into a resort full of wonder where serious surfers and travelers fascinated with the surf lifestyle could vacation happily.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

From there, Moton was onto the hospital and immersed in a medical odyssey.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Inspired by Ektachrome, a color-reversal film stock widely used during the 1970s, this presentation allows viewers to immerse themselves into the vivid colors and style of the 1973 Easter Island landscape.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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