intrigue

v. to make you very interested because something seems strange, mysterious, or unusual.

v. to arouse the interest or curiosity of someone; to fascinate through mystery or novelty. Transitive, requiring a direct object.

“The mysterious map in the attic really intrigued the children.”

“The researcher was intrigued by the anomalous data, as it suggested a variable that the original hypothesis had failed to account for.”

n. secret plans or clever tricks that people use to get what they want.

n. clandestine plots or schemes intended to achieve a purpose through secret artifice or conspiracy.

“The palace was full of political intrigue as everyone tried to gain power.”

“The novel is a masterful study of political intrigue, detailing the subtle maneuvers used by the ministers to undermine the king's authority.”

Formal

n. the complicated parts of a story or play that keep the audience interested.

n. the series of complications or the intricate plot of a literary work, such as a play or romance.

“The play's intrigue was so complex that the audience stayed silent until the very end.”

“Critics praised the playwright for the depth of the intrigue, noting how each character's secret motivations eventually collided in the final act.”

Academic · Literary