benevolent gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

"benevolent gaze" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is looking at you in a kindly or warm manner. For example, "The grandmother smiled at the child with a benevolent gaze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

All that's missing is the benevolent gaze of St. Francis.

The New York Times

Thailand's economic growth has trickled down to the masses, all under the benevolent gaze of Bhumibol.

The Economist

In old clips, their faces radiate bliss under his benevolent gaze.

The New Yorker

Another character, Delight Dryden, braves a murder inquest, returning "the Coroner's benevolent gaze with artistically mingled fear and innocence".

The New Yorker

The Glee Club, the Dramatic Association (later known as the Triangle Club), and the first intercollegiate football team were formed under his benevolent gaze.

Princeton University

The complex, ascending to heaven over the traditional three levels, sits among pine, cherry and cedar trees, beneath the benevolent gaze of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Perfect Compassion.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Correction Appended "Little Children," Todd Field's superb film adaptation of the novel by Tom Perrotta, begins in a clean and leafy suburban playground, where toddlers cavort under the watchful, benevolent gazes of their pretty young mothers.

The New York Times

4. Benevolent dictators are benevolent.

The Washington Post

In person, Hoy is serious-minded, a sharpness to his gaze, but within the benevolent features of an ample face.

Independent

Yet there's another point to be made here, namely that all the violence in "Amour" is crucial to Mr. Haneke's rigorous, liberatingly unsentimental worldview, one that gazes on death with the same benevolent equanimity as life.

The New York Times

"Giant cumulonimbus clouds," a woman drinking a dirty Martini said on a recent evening, gazing up at what looked like a benevolent H-bomb.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "benevolent gaze" to describe a character's expression in literature to quickly convey kindness and gentle authority.

Common error

Avoid using "benevolent gaze" excessively in dialogue or first-person narration. It's generally better suited for descriptive passages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "benevolent gaze" functions primarily as a descriptive element, enriching the narrative by specifying the quality of someone's look. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to convey kindness, goodwill, and gentle authority through a visual cue.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "benevolent gaze" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes a look characterized by kindness, goodwill, and gentle authority. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, it serves to evoke a sense of comfort and trust. When employing this phrase, consider its slightly formal tone and use it in descriptive writing to effectively convey a character's gentle and authoritative nature. Alternatives include "kindly look" or "compassionate expression", depending on the specific shade of meaning you aim to impart.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly look

This alternative focuses on the kindness expressed in the look, omitting the specific intensity conveyed by "gaze".

compassionate expression

This phrase replaces the physical act of looking with the overall expression of compassion.

gentle expression

This alternative softens the intensity of the gaze, emphasizing gentleness instead.

sympathetic look

This emphasizes the empathy behind the look, rather than the inherent benevolence.

caring look

This option highlights the caring aspect of the gaze, simplifying the expression.

benign expression

This emphasizes harmlessness and gentleness over overt benevolence.

friendly look

This alternative replaces benevolence with a more general sense of friendliness.

warm regard

This shifts from a visual act to a feeling of warmth and respect.

gracious manner

This generalizes the expression beyond just the eyes, encompassing overall graciousness.

merciful aspect

This focuses on the merciful quality of the appearance, rather than the act of gazing.

FAQs

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

You can use "benevolent gaze" to describe a look that conveys kindness, goodwill, and gentle authority, such as, "The wise old woman looked at the children with a "benevolent gaze"."

What are some alternatives to "benevolent gaze"?

Alternatives to "benevolent gaze" include "kindly look", "compassionate expression", or "gentle expression", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does the phrase "benevolent gaze" imply?

The phrase "benevolent gaze" implies a look that is not only kind but also suggests a sense of gentle authority, wisdom, or protective care.

Is "benevolent gaze" formal or informal language?

"Benevolent gaze" leans towards formal language, best suited for descriptive writing and situations where a sophisticated tone is appropriate. Consider alternatives like "friendly look" for more informal contexts.