Intrigue vs. Mystery — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 27, 2023
Intrigue denotes a secret or complex plan or scheme, usually with a clandestine or illicit motive, while Mystery represents something unexplained, unknown, or incomprehensible.
Difference Between Intrigue and Mystery
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Intrigue and Mystery are words with distinctive meanings, reflecting on the nuances of human curiosity and the unknown. Intrigue is related to covert or secret planning and schemes, often involving complex, intricate actions or maneuvers, typically for subversive or illicit objectives. It denotes a clandestine effort to influence or manipulate situations or individuals to achieve certain goals. Mystery, however, pertains to the unknown and the unexplained, symbolizing things or situations that are concealed or remain undiscovered, eliciting curiosity and speculation due to their elusive nature.
Intrigue implies a degree of calculation and intentionality, often associated with political maneuverings, espionage, and secretive plots, carrying a connotation of deceit and subterfuge. It reflects human intentions to influence outcomes clandestinely, frequently revealing complexities of human motivations and actions. Conversely, Mystery is not necessarily intentional; it represents the existence of unknown elements or phenomena, often independent of human actions, inviting investigation and exploration in pursuit of understanding and knowledge.
In literature and art, intrigue often serves as a thematic element reflecting the complexities of human nature and societal interactions, portraying characters involved in secret schemes and plots, highlighting the psychological and moral dimensions of their actions. Mystery, however, often constitutes a genre of literature and other arts, focusing on the exploration of unknown, enigmatic elements, and the quest for resolution, drawing audiences into the journey of discovery and revelation.
Intrigue can provoke curiosity and fascination due to the clandestine and intricate nature of the schemes, revealing the hidden aspects of human behavior and morality. Mystery, on the other hand, generates interest and curiosity through the allure of the unknown, encouraging inquiry and exploration in an attempt to uncover the concealed truth and gain insight into the obscure and the unexplained.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A secret or complex plan or scheme, usually for a clandestine or illicit motive.
Something unexplained, unknown, or incomprehensible.
ADVERTISEMENT
Connotation
Implies calculation, intentionality, and is often associated with deceit and subterfuge.
Represents the existence of unknown elements or phenomena.
Role in Arts
Serves as a thematic element reflecting complexities of human nature and societal interactions.
Constitutes a genre focusing on exploration of the unknown and the quest for resolution.
Provocation
Provokes curiosity and fascination due to the clandestine and intricate nature of schemes.
Generates interest and curiosity through the allure of the unknown.
Resolution
Reveals the hidden aspects of human behavior and morality.
Encourages inquiry and exploration to uncover the concealed truth.
Compare with Definitions
Intrigue
Intrigue implies a level of calculation and deceit, typically associated with political or illicit maneuverings.
His actions were driven by political intrigue to gain power.
Mystery
Mystery represents an unexplained, unknown, or incomprehensible situation or phenomenon.
The abandoned house on the hill remained a mystery to the locals.
Intrigue
Intrigue involves clandestine efforts to manipulate situations or individuals to achieve certain goals.
The intrigue within the royal court led to a sudden and unexpected shift in alliances.
Mystery
Mystery invites investigation and exploration in pursuit of understanding and knowledge.
The mystery of the missing artifact captivated the minds of historians.
Intrigue
In literature, intrigue serves to portray the complexities of human intentions and moral dimensions.
The play used intrigue as a means to explore human motivations.
Mystery
In literature, mystery often forms a genre focusing on the journey of discovery and revelation of the unknown.
She loved reading books filled with mystery and suspense.
Intrigue
Intrigue refers to a secret plan or scheme, often involving complex and clandestine actions.
The novel unfolded a web of intrigue and betrayal.
Mystery
Mystery generates curiosity and interest by presenting elements that are concealed or undiscovered.
The sudden disappearance of the ship created a lingering mystery.
Intrigue
A secret or underhand scheme; a plot.
Mystery
One that is not fully understood or that baffles or eludes the understanding; an enigma
How he got in is a mystery.
Intrigue
The practice of or involvement in such schemes
Seized the throne by intrigue.
Mystery
One whose identity is unknown and who arouses curiosity
The woman in the photograph is a mystery.
Intrigue
A clandestine love affair.
Mystery
A mysterious character or quality
A landscape with mystery and charm.
Intrigue
To arouse the interest or curiosity of
Hibernation has long intrigued biologists.
Mystery
Something that is a secret
“From the first, some private trouble weighed on his mind, and since he chose to make a mystery of its cause, a biographer is bound to respect his wish” (Henry Adams).
Intrigue
To effect or cause to be accepted or rejected by secret scheming or plotting
"Mr. Clay ... was intrigued out of the Presidential nomination" (Parke Godwin).
Mystery
A work of fiction, such as a novel or a movie, that has a story centered around solving a puzzling crime or mysterious event.
Intrigue
To engage in secret or underhand schemes; plot.
Mystery
A nonfictional account of a puzzling crime or mysterious event presented in the manner of a mystery.
Intrigue
A complicated or clandestine plot or scheme intended to effect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.
Mystery
A religious cult practicing secret rites to which only initiates are admitted.
Intrigue
The plot of a play, poem or romance; the series of complications in which a writer involves their imaginary characters.
Mystery
A secret rite of such a cult.
Intrigue
Clandestine intercourse between persons; illicit intimacy; a liaison or affair.
Mystery
A religious truth that is incomprehensible to reason and knowable only through divine revelation.
Intrigue
(intransitive) To conceive or carry out a secret plan intended to harm; to form a plot or scheme.
Mystery
An incident from the life of Jesus, especially the Incarnation, Passion, Crucifixion, or Resurrection, of particular importance for redemption.
Intrigue
(transitive) To arouse the interest of; to fascinate.
Mystery
One of the 15 incidents from the lives of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary, such as the Annunciation or the Ascension, serving in Roman Catholicism as the subject of meditation during recitation of the rosary.
Intrigue
(intransitive) To have clandestine or illicit intercourse.
Mystery
Also Mystery One of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
Intrigue
(transitive) To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate.
Mystery
Mysteries The consecrated elements of the Eucharist.
Intrigue
To form a plot or scheme; to contrive to accomplish a purpose by secret artifice.
Mystery
Often mysteries The skills, lore, or practices that are peculiar to a particular activity or group and are regarded as the special province of initiates
The mysteries of Freemasonry.
The mysteries of cooking game.
Intrigue
To carry on a secret and illicit love or amour.
Mystery
A mystery play.
Intrigue
To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate; to embarrass.
How doth it [sin] perplex and intrique the whole course of your lives!
Mystery
A trade or occupation.
Intrigue
Intricacy; complication.
Mystery
A guild, as of merchants or artisans.
Intrigue
A complicated plot or scheme intended to effect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem.
Busy meddlers with intrigues of state.
Mystery
Something secret or unexplainable; an unknown.
The truth behind the events remains a mystery.
Intrigue
The plot of a play or romance; a complicated scheme of designs, actions, and events.
Mystery
Someone or something with an obscure or puzzling nature.
That man is a mystery.
Intrigue
A secret and illicit love affair between two persons of different sexes; an amour; a liaison.
The hero of a comedy is represented victorious in all his intrigues.
Mystery
(obsolete) A secret or mystical meaning.
Intrigue
A crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
Mystery
A religious truth not understandable by the application of human reason alone (without divine aid).
Intrigue
A clandestine love affair
Mystery
A sacrament.
Intrigue
Cause to be interested or curious
Mystery
A secret religious celebration, admission to which was usually through initiation.
The Eleusinian mysteries
The Mysteries of Mithras
Intrigue
Form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
Mystery
(Catholicism) A particular event or series of events in the life of Christ.
The second decade of the Rosary concerns the Sorrowful mysteries, such as the crucifixion and the crowning with thorns.
Intrigue
Intrigue can spark fascination and curiosity due to the hidden and secretive nature of the schemes.
The intricacies of the plot created a high level of intrigue among the audience.
Mystery
A craft, art or trade; specifically a guild of craftsmen.
Mystery
A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension.
We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.
If God should please to reveal unto us this great mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in our holy religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he would bestow on us some new faculties of the mind.
Mystery
A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated by certain preparatory ceremonies; - usually plural; as, the Eleusinian mysteries.
Mystery
The consecrated elements in the eucharist.
Mystery
Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.
Mystery
A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one is usually occupied.
Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
And that which is the noblest mysteryBrings to reproach and common infamy.
Mystery
A dramatic representation of a Scriptural subject, often some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic composition of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries, consisting of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city in the early part of the 14th century.
"Mystery plays," so called because acted by craftsmen.
Mystery
Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained;
How it got out is a mystery
It remains one of nature's secrets
Mystery
A story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie
Mystery
Mystery encourages the quest to uncover concealed truth and gain insight into the obscure and unexplained.
The mystery of the ancient civilization has puzzled researchers for decades.
Common Curiosities
Does intrigue refer to a secret or complex scheme?
Yes, intrigue denotes a secret or complex plan or scheme, usually involving clandestine or illicit motives.
In literature, does intrigue serve as a thematic element reflecting the complexities of human nature and societal interactions?
Absolutely, in literature and art, intrigue often serves as a thematic element portraying complexities of human nature and interactions.
Can mystery exist independent of human actions, representing unknown elements or phenomena?
Indeed, mystery can exist independently of human actions, representing unknown elements or phenomena that encourage exploration and discovery.
Is mystery associated with the unknown or unexplained?
Absolutely, mystery represents something unexplained, unknown, or incomprehensible, inviting exploration and understanding.
Does intrigue imply intentionality and calculation, often associated with deceit?
Yes, intrigue implies a degree of calculation and intentionality and is often associated with deceit and subterfuge.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Triglyceride vs. Triacylglycerol
Next Comparison
Ferret vs. MinkAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
