intrigues
Fascinates or conspires
Intrigues are secret schemes or plots, often political: palace intrigues, the intrigues of rival factions.
The word suggests covert maneuvering and hidden agendas.
As a verb, intrigue means to arouse curiosity or fascination: The mystery intrigued her.
It can also mean to scheme: They intrigued against the king.
The noun carries darker connotations than the verb, which usually just means to interest.
Request for information
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- interestAttention, stake, or fee
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- discoveryAct of finding something
questioning · investigation · research · novelty · eagerness · inquisitiveness · puzzlement · engagement
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
ploy · gambit · subterfuge · artifice · ruse · deception · trickery · manipulation
Covert information gatherer
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- covertIntentionally concealed
agent · CIA · KGB · MI6 · Mossad · reconnaissance · sabotage · eavesdrop
Trial venue or sports surface
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
palace · rivalry · faction · alliance · backstabbing · influence · jockeying · Borgia
inquiry
Request for information
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- interestAttention, stake, or fee
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
discovery · questioning · investigation · research · novelty · eagerness · inquisitiveness · puzzlement · engagement · fascination
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
maneuver · ploy · gambit · subterfuge · artifice · ruse · deception · trickery · manipulation · mastermind
spy
Covert information gatherer
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
covert · agent · CIA · KGB · MI6 · Mossad · reconnaissance · sabotage · eavesdrop · informant
court
Trial venue or sports surface
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
maneuvering · palace · rivalry · faction · alliance · backstabbing · influence · jockeying · Borgia · courtier
enigma
Something hard to fathom
secrets · unknown · cryptic · conundrum · mystique · inscrutable · cipher · sphinx · obscure · whodunit
storyline
Sequence of fictional events
conflict · suspense · thriller · whodunit · page-turner · cliffhanger · tension · drama · intricate · labyrinthine
- Renaissance Courtscourtiers, patrons, ambassadors, cardinals, chamberlain
- preferencespreferences, prefer, likes, like, liking
- takes chargecontrols, manages, directs, leads, commands
intriguestransparency
State of being see-through
openness · candor · forthrightness · straightforwardness · plain dealing
- political intrigueCovert governmental scheming
- court intriguePolitical scheming at royal halls
- palace intrigueScheming within ruling circles
- romantic intrigueSecret romantic maneuvering
- royal intrigueScheming within a monarchy
- intriguing plotFascinating story structure