intriguant

An intriguant whispers a secret plan in a dimly lit corner.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who engages in schemes or underhanded plots: "intriguant" refers to an individual who habitually forms secret plans or maneuvers to achieve their goals, often through deceptive or covert means.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The court was full of intriguants vying for the king's favor. (People who plotted secretly to gain influence.)
  • She was known as an intriguant, always manipulating events behind the scenes. (A person who constantly schemes.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as an intriguant": to behave like a schemer or plotter.
  • He acted as an intriguant in the corporate takeover, using secret alliances. (He used underhanded methods.)

Variants and Related Words

• Intrigue (n): the practice of secret scheming or plotting.

  • The novel is full of political intrigue. (Secret plots and machinations.)

• Intriguing (adj): arousing curiosity or interest; fascinating (not directly related to scheming).

  • Her story was intriguing. (Very interesting, not necessarily plotting.)

• Intriguer (n): a person who intrigues; another spelling for "intriguant."

  • The intriguer was eventually exposed. (The schemer.)

Synonyms

• Schemer: a person who devises secret or underhanded plans.
• Plotter: someone who plans secretly, often to cause harm or gain advantage.
• Machinator: a person who plots or schemes cunningly.

Related Idioms

• Pull the strings: to control events or people secretly.

  • The intriguant was pulling the strings behind the political scandal. (Controlling the plot covertly.)

• Play a deep game: to engage in complex, secret scheming.

  • The diplomat was playing a deep game, earning trust while manipulating alliances. (Engaging in hidden, elaborate plotting.)