astonished gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astonished gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's expression of surprise or amazement, often in a literary or descriptive context. Example: "She turned to him with an astonished gaze, unable to comprehend the news he had just shared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The apparition slowly fades before his astonished gaze.

The New Yorker

The secretary's astonished gaze is an attempt to anchor audience response, and many will want to believe the eighty-one-year-old Junge when she says that she cannot forgive herself for failing to find out what the Nazis were doing to the Jews during the war.

The New Yorker

Though from what I can gather by your astonished gaze you are very intrigued by appearance, and perhaps worried I am simply lost on my way home from the local hospital.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Even righteous protestation hushed its clamor, as when, having striven manfully in single combat, a high-helmed champion is stricken by Jove's bolt and the two snarling armies stand at sudden gaze, astonished and bereft a moment of their rancor".

The New Yorker

People gaze up into the sky, astonished at the unusual sight, but unafraid.

Johns Hopkins University

FLORENCE — When Sara Checcucci opened her atelier in Galluzzo, a southern district of Florence bordering the Chianti hillsides, she was astonished by the number of young people who would stop to gaze at her through the window as she worked.

The New York Times

They were astonished.

The New York Times

His predictions astonished friends.

The New York Times - Sports

"Si Sii?" Cordera said, astonished.

The New Yorker

We were astonished.

The New Yorker

Everyone is astonished.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astonished gaze" to vividly portray a character's reaction to something unexpected or remarkable, adding depth and emotion to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "astonished gaze" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions of surprise and wonder with synonyms like "amazed look" or "wide-eyed wonder".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astonished gaze" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "astonished" modifies the noun "gaze". Ludwig indicates that its use is grammatically correct. It commonly features in descriptive writing to depict a character's reaction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astonished gaze" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a look of surprise or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms that while correct, the phrase is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media, and academic contexts. To enhance your writing, consider using alternatives such as "amazed look" or "surprised expression" to avoid repetition. When employing "astonished gaze", ensure it vividly portrays a character's reaction without overusing the phrase to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazed look

Replaces "astonished" with "amazed", offering a more general sense of wonder.

surprised expression

Focuses on the outward display of surprise rather than the act of gazing.

wondering eyes

Shifts the focus to the eyes as the source of wonderment and curiosity.

incredulous stare

Emphasizes disbelief and skepticism in the gaze.

shocked look

Conveys a stronger sense of surprise, often associated with negative events.

stupefied expression

Highlights a state of mental numbness or bewilderment.

dumbfounded gaze

Suggests a sense of speechlessness or being unable to react.

speechless surprise

Focuses on the inability to speak due to astonishment.

wide-eyed wonder

Highlights the physical manifestation of wonder in the eyes.

startled look

Indicates a sudden and unexpected surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "astonished gaze" in a sentence?

You can use "astonished gaze" to describe someone's reaction to something surprising or unexpected. For example, "She met his confession with an astonished gaze."

What can I say instead of "astonished gaze"?

You can use alternatives like "amazed look", "surprised expression", or "wondering eyes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "astonished gaze" formal or informal?

"Astonished gaze" leans toward a slightly more formal or literary register but is suitable for most writing contexts. The level of formality also depends on the surrounding text.

What's the difference between "astonished gaze" and "shocked gaze"?

"Astonished gaze" generally implies surprise and wonder, while "shocked gaze" suggests a stronger, often negative, reaction to something unexpected and disturbing.