Piqued

To have stimulated interest or curiosity; to have aroused a feeling of annoyance or resentment. 'Piqued' describes a state where someone's interest has been engaged, usually positively, like a detective's curiosity is 'piqued' by a strange clue. Conversely, it can also refer to a negative emotional state; when someone is irritated or offended, their feelings are said to be 'piqued'. The word reflects a sudden, sharp emotional or intellectual response, drawing attention to the object or situation that caused the reaction.

Piqued meaning with examples

• The mysterious disappearance of the painting greatly piqued the art collector's interest. He immediately hired a private investigator, desperate to solve the riddle and retrieve the masterpiece. This event set him off to many places to try and discover the truth about what happened.
• Her insightful questions piqued my interest in history. I had never truly cared for the subject before, but her passionate delivery and deep understanding captivated me. Now, I can't stop reading historical accounts and searching for obscure information.
• John's repeated snide remarks finally piqued Sarah's patience. She was already stressed and overwhelmed with work, and his constant criticisms pushed her to the breaking point. Their relationship has been tested over and over again.
• The detective's observation of the suspect's unusual behavior piqued his suspicions and encouraged him to follow the suspect's trail. The detective had a nagging feeling that the suspect's reaction was telling him something that he was missing.