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

Synonym Chooser

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 addition of Adams and Goodman onto the roster bring some intrigue for a club that has been severely scuffling. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026 After releasing its lookbook for fall 2026, Supreme has quickly prepared to release one greatest item of intrigue. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

Brainy and inquisitive, she’s intrigued enough by his demented search to offer to help. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 As a runner and dairy enthusiast myself, I was intrigued but skeptical — surely the jostling of your body wasn’t enough to actually churn butter. — Matt Clough, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intrigue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intrigue

Noun

And in a related case, former union executive Tyler Brown pleaded guilty in May 2024 to one count of racketeering conspiracy.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Stewart went to prison for five months after being found guilty on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to the sale of a stock.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Verb

There’s also growing evidence that building a career inside a firm continues to be a more reliable route to success than trying to plot a path across companies.

— Matthew Bidwell, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Proper later allegedly admitted to plotting the UFC 250 attack and described it in full to the FBI, according to the criminal complaint.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of plot

Noun

McNeal added that his second year in the offense has given him more confidence in the scheme and motivated him to get stronger to contribute in the run game.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
While Simmons’ offensive scheme helped unlock FIU’s ground game last season, quarterbacks Keyone Jenkins and Joe Pesansky combined for 13 interceptions.

— Alejandro Hernandez, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of scheme

Verb

The question fascinated David Hilbert, a renowned mathematician who had devoted much of his life to rebuilding physics on a sturdy foundation of crisp axioms.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
QAnon haunts Washington I’m particularly fascinated by the ghost of QAnon – how the theory continues to haunt politics today.

— Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

Netanyahu’s hard-line government has been accused of turning a blind eye to the settler attacks in the West Bank, which many governments around the world consider illegally occupied.

— F. Brinley Bruton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
But no one has lived in the house since 2010, when it was occupied by architects Sirkka and Robert Damora for about five decades after the Booths.

— Nora DeLigter, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of occupy

Verb

Bucci wanted to immerse himself in the centre of the international show jumping world.

— Gemma Redrup, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
At the restaurant, tables plonked in the sand feel intimate and experiential as well as immersed in the changing colors of the sunset sky.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of intrigue

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verb

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