a violent look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a violent look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's facial expression that conveys anger, aggression, or hostility. Example: "When he entered the room, she shot him a violent look that made everyone uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Siegel's next project was Baby Face Nelson (1957), a violent look at the infamous gangster (played by Mickey Rooney).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With a repertory of rock-music ballets and works like "Revenge Poems," a prurient, violent look at a love triangle complete with simulated sex onstage and a murder, set to music by the all-female band Carmina Piranha, Mr. Canfield has often been the subject of controversy.

The New York Times - Arts

Its unforgiving, violent look at American greed and genocide was startling in its intensity, especially after the relatively laid-back charm of his previous features.

The Guardian - Film

I think the mass-market perception of video games, for the most part, is 'Wow, those games are too violent, look at Doom, look at G.T.A. 3.' But that represents only about 10percentt of the market.

The New York Times - Magazine

The gulag does not exactly soften him, perhaps just as well because Lev is committed to pacifism and needs a violent brother to look out for him.

The Guardian - Books

Hundreds of costumes, most handmade and cased in a proprietary wax concoction, provide the film with its dark, spiritually reverent mood — a violent yet breathtaking look into the life of 19th century frontiersmen.

Los Angeles Times

Irrational fear and tribal-religious manias are now driving both sides - and until this week, a violent show-down looked ever-more-likely.

Huffington Post

One can think of many action movies in which the slaying of a relative sparks a violent payback, but "The Look of Silence" holds no such brief.

The New Yorker

But he's still the hero, the only man who cares enough to give Terry Lennox the justice he deserves, the guy who shrugs off a violent gangster to keep looking for his missing cat.

The Guardian - Film

In a stunning turnaround, police commanders in Illinois have revealed that the death in September of a senior local police officer which sparked a vast manhunt for his alleged killers and an outpouring of sympathy across the land was in reality a suicide staged to look like a violent murder.

Independent

Today we look at a violent form of tattooing performed by a collective named Brutal Black.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a violent look" to vividly portray a character's inner turmoil or aggressive intent, making the scene more impactful for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a violent look" when a milder expression is more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can lead to melodrama and weaken the overall effect of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a violent look" functions as a noun phrase describing the manner of looking. It combines the adjective "violent", modifying the noun "look", to depict an expression charged with aggression. Ludwig provides examples that showcase its use in describing intense emotions in films and books.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a violent look" is a phrase used to describe an expression filled with intense negative emotions, typically aggression or hostility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides real-world examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While not a very common expression, its usage is appropriate for conveying strong emotions in both formal and informal contexts. If a milder expression is needed, alternatives such as "an angry glare" or "a fierce gaze" can be considered. The phrase carries a neutral tone but is generally used to describe negative situations or characters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an angry glare

Replaces 'violent look' with a more direct and common expression of anger using 'glare'.

a fierce gaze

Substitutes 'violent' with 'fierce' and 'look' with 'gaze', emphasizing intensity.

an aggressive stare

Uses 'aggressive' instead of 'violent' and 'stare' for a prolonged, intense look.

a hostile expression

Replaces the physical aspect of 'look' with the more general term 'expression', highlighting animosity.

a menacing glance

Conveys a threatening or ominous feeling with the quick, brief action of a 'glance'.

a searing look

Emphasizes the intense, burning quality of the look, suggesting a strong emotional impact.

a furious scowl

Highlights the facial expression of anger, particularly a frown, using 'scowl'.

a murderous gaze

Implies a dangerous or deadly intent behind the look, increasing its severity.

a wrathful countenance

Replaces 'look' with 'countenance', referring to the face or facial expression as expressing extreme anger.

a venomous stare

Uses the adjective 'venomous' to describe the look, adding a sense of poison or bitterness.

FAQs

How can I describe a look that isn't physically violent, but expresses intense emotion?

Instead of "a violent look", consider using phrases like "a fierce gaze", "a hostile expression", or "a searing look" to convey intensity without implying physical aggression.

What's the difference between "a violent look" and "an angry look"?

"A violent look" suggests a more intense and potentially threatening expression than "an angry look". The former implies a higher level of aggression or hostility.

Can "a violent look" be used in a positive context?

Rarely. "A violent look" typically denotes negative emotions such as anger, hatred, or aggression. It's not generally suitable for describing positive feelings.

What are some synonyms for "violent" when describing a look?

Synonyms include "fierce", "aggressive", "hostile", "menacing", and "wrathful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Try "a fierce gaze" or "a hostile expression".