pique crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com, your go-to source for solving the trickiest crossword clues! If you're looking for answers to "pique crossword clue," you've come to the right place. We've compiled a comprehensive list of solutions, categorized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "pique crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
VEX: To annoy or frustrate, a common meaning of pique.
4 Letters
STIR: To excite or provoke, often used when pique means to arouse interest or emotion.
5 Letters
ANNOY: To irritate or bother, closely related to the feeling of pique.
6 Letters
NETTLE: To irritate or annoy, particularly in a way that causes slight resentment.
AROUSE: To evoke or stimulate interest, curiosity, or a feeling.
7 Letters
CHAGRIN: Distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated, a feeling that can be described as pique.
PROVOKE: To stimulate or incite (a reaction or feeling).
8 Letters
IRRITATE: To make impatient, annoyed, or angry, a direct synonym for one sense of pique.
10 Letters
RESENTMENT: Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly, often the result of something that 'piques' one's pride.
More About "pique crossword clue"
The word "pique" is a fascinating one in the English language, possessing multiple meanings that can be a delight for crossword constructors and a challenge for solvers. As a verb, "pique" commonly means to stimulate interest or curiosity, as in "to pique one's appetite for knowledge." This sense often leads to crossword answers like STIR, AROUSE, or EXCITE. However, "pique" also means to irritate or annoy, particularly in a way that causes slight resentment, leading to answers such as VEX, ANNOY, or NETTLE.
Moreover, "pique" can function as a noun, referring to a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride. In this context, clues might point to answers like CHAGRIN or RESENTMENT. Understanding these distinct applications is key to deciphering "pique" related clues. Crossword puzzles often leverage these different meanings, requiring solvers to consider the precise context provided by the clue's wording and length.
By studying how "pique" is used in various clue types and familiarizing yourself with its synonyms for each meaning, you'll be better equipped to tackle future puzzles. Remember that crosswords love wordplay, and a single word can have many layers of interpretation.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Part of Speech: Is "pique" used as a verb (to excite, to annoy) or a noun (a fit of irritation)? This will significantly narrow down potential answers.
- Consider Letter Count Carefully: Once you have a potential answer, double-check its length to ensure it matches the required number of letters. This is a primary filter for crossword solutions.
- Look for Context Clues: The words surrounding "pique" in the clue are vital. Phrases like "arouse interest" point to one meaning, while "irritate deeply" points to another.
- Think of Synonyms and Antonyms: If a direct synonym doesn't fit, think of words with similar meanings or even antonyms if the clue suggests negation.
- Practice Regularly: The more crosswords you solve, the better you'll become at recognizing common clue patterns and answers, including those related to words with multiple meanings like "pique."
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "pique" mean in crosswords?
In crosswords, "pique" can refer to several related concepts: to stimulate or excite (as in "pique interest"), to irritate or annoy (as in "pique someone's temper"), or a feeling of irritation or resentment itself (as a noun, a "fit of pique"). Clues will usually guide you to the specific meaning.
Are there common synonyms for "pique" in crosswords?
Yes, common synonyms or related words that appear as answers for "pique" include VEX, STIR, ANNOY, NETTLE, PROVOKE, AROUSE, IRRITATE, and RUFFLE for the verb forms. For the noun form, words like CHAGRIN or RESENTMENT can be solutions.
How can I distinguish between the different meanings of "pique" in a clue?
Pay close attention to the context of the clue. If the clue suggests provoking interest or curiosity (e.g., "Arouse interest"), look for answers like STIR or AROUSE. If it suggests annoyance or irritation (e.g., "Irk"), answers like VEX, ANNOY, or NETTLE are likely. If it's used as a noun, implying a feeling (e.g., "Fit of irritation"), consider answers like CHAGRIN or RESENTMENT.