an intense stare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intense stare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a gaze that is very focused or penetrating, often conveying strong emotions or intentions. Example: "She gave him an intense stare, making it clear that she was not pleased with his decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Knicks wore an intense stare, one that flashed their determination and masked their anxiety.

The New York Times - Sports

A young man with an intense stare spots me scribbling in my notebook and comes over.

The Guardian - Books

I get glances in my direction, a sigh as someone walks passed and every now and then an intense stare.

The Guardian

He made the statement with an intense stare (pretty much his default expression) and without any discernible sense of mischief, because he wasn't trying to be cute.

The New York Times - Food

"It's a book about human rights, and the personal stuff is the stuff that is relevant," she says, fixing me with an intense stare.

The Guardian

A tall boy in a blue T-shirt introduces himself as 15-year-old Bagari* and fixes Beah with an intense stare.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I mean, I was coming to New York," he said, fixing an interviewer with a intense stare.

The New York Times

Orton and Rollins then had an intense stare-down in the middle of the ring.

Independent

Mr. Buffett offers to buy the two out, leading to an intense stare-off with tropes familiar to "Breaking Bad" fans.

The New York Times

The two have an intense stare-into-each-others'-eyes moment that gets interrupted by Taylor and his town members posse banging on the door.

Huffington Post

I awaited the headline "Queen secretly invented string theory", but in the end had to live with "Sex pest on Queen's barge", featuring a dude with a horribly intense stare.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an intense stare" to vividly describe a character's emotional state or intention. It effectively conveys focus, determination, or even aggression.

Common error

Avoid using "an intense stare" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your descriptions of looks and gazes to keep the writing fresh and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intense stare" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "gave an intense stare") or as a descriptive element modifying a subject. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an intense stare" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a focused or penetrating gaze, often conveying strong emotions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "a piercing gaze" or "a fixed gaze" to avoid repetition. Remember that "an intense stare" is more than just a description; it's a powerful tool for conveying character and intention in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piercing gaze

Focuses on the sharpness and penetrating quality of the look.

a penetrating look

Highlights the ability of the gaze to see beyond the surface.

a fixed gaze

Emphasizes the unwavering and concentrated nature of the stare.

a strong gaze

Indicates a powerful and assertive look.

a deep gaze

Suggests a profound and thoughtful look, often conveying emotion.

a searching look

Implies the person is looking for something specific.

an unwavering gaze

Highlights the steadfastness and determination in the look.

a hypnotic stare

Focuses on the captivating and mesmerizing effect of the stare.

a focused look

Emphasizes concentration and attention in the gaze.

a burning gaze

Conveys intense passion, anger, or other strong emotions through the look.

FAQs

How can I use "an intense stare" in a sentence?

"An intense stare" can be used to describe someone's gaze, indicating focus, determination, or other strong emotions. For example: "She gave him "an intense stare", daring him to disagree."

What does "an intense stare" suggest about a character?

It often suggests that the character is feeling strong emotions such as anger, determination, or suspicion. It can also imply a high level of focus or concentration.

What are some synonyms for "an intense stare"?

Alternatives include "a piercing gaze", "a penetrating look", or "a fixed gaze", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the stare.

Is it appropriate to use "an intense stare" in formal writing?

Yes, "an intense stare" is appropriate in formal writing as long as it accurately conveys the intended meaning and fits the overall tone of the piece.