a piercing stare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a piercing stare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's intense or penetrating gaze, often implying a sense of scrutiny or deep observation. Example: "She met his gaze with a piercing stare that seemed to see right through him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Eisenberg offers a piercing stare, and looks pretty menacing with his head shaved.

Independent

After introducing myself as a Sunday Telegraph correspondent, she fixed me with a piercing stare.

The Guardian - Opinion

He's a well-respected chef with a piercing stare and no-nonsense manner.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Agassi — a 41-year-old Israeli-American with a piercing stare — beamed.

The New York Times - Magazine

His wife shot him a piercing stare: "I thought you were an Obama fan?

The New York Times

Outside a Genoa bakery one day he spotted a strapping, mustachioed man with craggy features and a piercing stare.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Mr. Barma, who has spiky hair and a fixed, piercing stare, at first admitted to administering the witch test to dozens of people brought to him by local community leaders.

The New York Times

Damon has a very piercing stare.

WikiHow

I wrote knowing it all might well end in wreckage, like my other attempts to make art out of the piercing stare of an ancient bird.

The Guardian

Her now vacant, now piercing stare gives her a look that writers often describe as "regal".

The New York Times - Arts

Picasso's piercing stare is that of a man deeply anguished by the horrors of war.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and ensure the intensity described by "a piercing stare" aligns with the character's personality and the scene's atmosphere. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

While "a piercing stare" is a vivid description, avoid relying on it too frequently. Explore alternative expressions to describe intense gazes to prevent your writing from sounding repetitive and predictable. For example, consider using "an intense gaze" or "a penetrating look".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a piercing stare" functions primarily as a descriptive element, typically used to characterize a person's gaze. It acts as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "stare", providing detail about its nature. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a piercing stare" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that effectively describes an intense and penetrating gaze. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and explore alternative descriptions to maintain originality. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and provides numerous real-world examples to guide effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intense gaze

Replaces "piercing" with "intense", focusing on the intensity of the look.

a penetrating look

Substitutes "stare" with "look" and "piercing" with "penetrating", highlighting the depth of the gaze.

a penetrating gaze

Emphasizes the depth and insight conveyed by the stare.

a sharp gaze

Uses "sharp" instead of "piercing" to convey the intensity and focus of the stare.

an intense look

Uses 'intense' to describe the look conveying a strong emotion or focus.

an unwavering gaze

Emphasizes the steadiness and directness of the stare, rather than its intensity.

a fixed stare

Focuses on the immobility of the gaze, suggesting a determined or unblinking look.

an unwavering look

Combines steadiness with a general 'look' to convey a persistent expression.

a keen look

Highlights the observer's intelligence or interest reflected in their gaze.

a searching gaze

Implies the person is actively looking for something specific.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a piercing stare" in a sentence?

Use "a piercing stare" to describe a gaze that is intense, penetrating, and often unsettling. For example: "She fixed him with a piercing stare, demanding an explanation."

What are some alternatives to "a piercing stare"?

You can use alternatives like ""an intense gaze"", ""a penetrating look"", or "a sharp gaze" to describe a similar expression, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a piercing stare" considered a cliché?

While "a piercing stare" is a common phrase, it's not inherently a cliché if used appropriately. However, overuse can make it seem unoriginal. Vary your descriptions of intense gazes to keep your writing fresh.

What does "a piercing stare" typically imply about a character?

A piercing stare often implies that a character is assertive, intimidating, deeply thoughtful, or suspicious. It can suggest they are trying to see through someone or understand something profound.