intriguer

Senses

1. 1.

   to intrigue, to puzzle

   to arouse curiosity or interest in someone; to baffle or perplex

2. 2.

   to scheme, to plot

   to engage in underhand dealings or conspiracies (often with other people)

Examples

• "Ce mystère m'intrigue beaucoup."

  This mystery intrigues me greatly.

• "Les politiciens intriguaient dans l'ombre pour obtenir le pouvoir."

  The politicians were scheming in the shadows to gain power.

• "Son comportement étrange a intrigué tout le monde."

  His strange behaviour puzzled everyone.

Usage

Common in both formal and informal registers. The reflexive form 's'intriguer' means 'to be intrigued' but is less frequent than the transitive use. In modern usage, the first sense (to puzzle/intrigue) is more common than the older sense of scheming.