pique 1 of 2

noun

ˈpēk How to pronounce pique (audio)
Definition of piquenext
as in anger
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pique

2 of 2

verb

ˈpēk How to pronounce pique (audio)
1
as in to annoy
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to provoke
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 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
Not only is that likely to draw some curiosity on its own, but considering the president’s previous comments about Swift after her endorsement of Kamala Harris last fall, the idea of these two in the same stadium is already piquing interest online. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2025 And 2025 is no exception, with a new crop of exciting ports of call piquing our interest. — Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 29 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pique
  1. anger
  2. annoy
  3. provoke
  4. pride
  5. huff
  6. irritate
  7. encourage
  8. bother
Noun
  • President Donald Trump has reacted with anger after Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the United States, in response to a wave of tariffs on Canadian goods.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • This has allowed our sibling relationship to remain intact and there is no resentment or anger.
    — R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of anger
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
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • Over the past eight years, social media platforms have been skillfully manipulated to provoke anger, rage, fear, and distrust, setting individuals and groups against one another.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Sometimes, that means getting outside of the Court’s comfort zone of an orderly appeals process when individual judges single-handedly provoke a separation-of-powers crisis.
    — The Editors, National Review, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • Considering the 49ers prided themselves on defense mainly to reach two Super Bowls in five years, losing multiple defenders puts them in a tough situation moving forward.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • This may be partly due to culture differences — the French film industry likes to pride itself on being harder to shock than its counterparts in the U.S. — but also reflects a difference in the competition.
    — Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of pride
Noun
  • 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
  • The huffs and hums, produced by two women standing face-to-face and vocalizing from their throats, is believed to be one of the oldest music forms in the world.
    — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024
Definition of huff
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
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • On the positive side, the increase in applications from students of color and the growing diversity of the applicant pool are encouraging signs of progress toward more significant equity in higher education.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Mercury retrograde in Aries encourages you to pause before speaking.
    — Colin Bedell, Them, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of encourage
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
Definition of bother

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Cite this Entry

“Pique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pique. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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