a sharp gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sharp gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's intense or penetrating look, often implying focus or scrutiny. Example: "She met his sharp gaze and felt a chill run down her spine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Hyder is a small man, very thin, with hooded eyes and a sharp gaze.

The Guardian

' " David Sambol, a fine-featured, dark-haired man with a sharp gaze, was Mozilo's lieutenant in this expansion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Growing up under the sharp gaze of a critical mother, I learned it wasn't safe to be myself.

Huffington Post

He is an intense child, with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze, and his frankness can be almost cruel.

The New Yorker

By the time Crystal Shawanda closed out the show (with the original drum kit restored), there was barely anyone left on the floor to meet her sharp gaze.

The New York Times - Arts

"The Decline of the American Empire" has some of the stylish ferocity of Restoration comedy, with the director's sharp gaze pinning his characters in place like so many colorful insects.

The New York Times

The reduced and alternative sentences model is, nevertheless, a controversial compromise that may not work in other deeply divided societies, such as Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and under the increasingly sharp gaze of the international justice community.

Huffington Post

Hidden eyes in the corridor open slowly to reveal a razor-sharp gaze.

The Guardian - Books

Milosevic had a penetrating gaze.

The New Yorker

They have a piercing gaze.

Vice

Brainy and engaging, Krane — slight, dark-haired, with a sharp, blue-eyed gaze — had eclectic interests.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sharp gaze" when you want to convey a sense of intensity, focus, or scrutiny in someone's look. It suggests a penetrating and perceptive quality.

Common error

While effective, "a sharp gaze" can become repetitive if overused. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "intense stare" or "penetrating look" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sharp gaze" functions as a noun phrase, where "sharp" modifies the noun "gaze". It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing the quality of someone's look. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing characters in literature and real-life figures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sharp gaze" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an intense and focused look. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, while the analysis suggests it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. It implies keen observation and can be used to add depth to character descriptions. While effective, varying your language with alternatives such as "intense stare" or "penetrating look" can prevent overuse and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intense stare

Replaces "sharp" with "intense", emphasizing the strength and concentration of the look.

a penetrating look

Substitutes "gaze" with "look" and "sharp" with "penetrating", highlighting the piercing quality.

a piercing stare

Similar to an intense stare, this option replaces gaze with stare and sharp with piercing.

a scrutinizing look

Focuses on a careful and critical examination, implying a more judgmental perspective.

a fixed stare

Highlights the unwavering nature of the gaze, suggesting focus or intensity.

a keen observation

Shifts the focus to the act of observing, implying intelligence and attentiveness.

an unwavering gaze

Replaces "sharp" with "unwavering", emphasizing the steadiness and determination of the look.

a searching look

Emphasizes the act of seeking something through the gaze, suggesting curiosity or suspicion.

an observant eye

Highlights the ability to notice details, emphasizing the person's perceptiveness.

an eagle eye

Uses a metaphor to describe a very focused and sharp sight.

FAQs

What does "a sharp gaze" imply about a person?

A "sharp gaze" suggests that a person is highly observant, focused, and possibly critical or discerning. It implies an intense and penetrating look.

What can I say instead of "a sharp gaze"?

You can use alternatives like "an intense stare", "a penetrating look", or "a piercing stare" depending on the context.

Is "a sharp gaze" formal or informal?

"A sharp gaze" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in descriptive writing than casual conversation.

How can the context change the meaning of "a sharp gaze"?

The context can influence whether "a sharp gaze" is seen as positive (indicating intelligence and perceptiveness) or negative (implying judgment or suspicion). For example, a detective might have a sharp gaze while interrogating a suspect, while a mentor might have a sharp gaze to see if their student understands.