bitter gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bitter gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a look or expression that conveys resentment, anger, or disappointment. Example: "She turned to him with a bitter gaze, her eyes reflecting the hurt he had caused her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To the casual observer, "Still Life" appears to be a study of the town's resident poet, her bitter gaze reflecting hatred for "the world that had left her behind".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Like most ABBA songs (and Bergman movies), it's basically about death, and is told from the point of view of a bitter elder gazing greedily and lustfully backwards towards youth.

The Economist

It is charged with so much architectural symbolism it's almost funny: a sky-high contemporary gallery in one of London's poorest districts, packed each evening with painfully well-dressed young white people supping Campari bitters, who gaze down upon the streets of pound shops, mobile phone stalls and cheap clothes stores below.

The Guardian - Opinion

I braved mosquito hordes in summer and bitter winter nights to gaze at the moon and stars through a telescope, then pursued physics in university.

Forbes

Yet he has a natural rapport with the general public that other politicians can only gaze at in bitter, awestruck envy.

Independent

For the finale of a Pearl Jam set full of power-chorded wrath, Eddie Vedder sang Bob Dylan's "Masters of War" with a bitter voice and a baleful, unwavering gaze.

The New York Times - Arts

The chess master and teacher at Mott Hall School, Jerald Times, has a thousand-watt gaze and skin the color of bitter chocolate.

The New York Times

Hillary Clinton crushed hopes of a Bernie Sanders surge on a night of sweeping wins that saw her shift her gaze to the prospect of a bitter battle for the White House with Donald Trump.

The Guardian

After painstakingly ransacking this bonkers conceit for every last bleak nuance and bitter ramification, counterpointing his camera's blank, steady gaze with rhythmically edited detonations of anxiety, Lanthimos then pulls a full 180 on us, and very deftly.

The Guardian - Film

She returns the viewer's gaze with expressions by turns sour, candid, squinting (cruel, bitter, stormy?) and sometimes, yes, murderous.

The Guardian - Arts

When Bishop Dorsey F. Henderson Jr., the Episcopal bishop in Columbia, S.C., steps out the door of Trinity Cathedral there, he need only lift his gaze a bit to see the object of a bitter controversy that has spilled over into national politics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to make sure that using "bitter gaze" is more effective than using a simpler alternative such as "angry look".

Common error

Avoid using "bitter gaze" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make the prose seem melodramatic. Vary your descriptions of negative emotions and expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitter gaze" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying a subject (often a person) and indicating the emotional quality of their look. Ludwig shows this phrase effectively conveys negativity through visual expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bitter gaze" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that vividly depicts a look filled with resentment or disappointment. While not extremely common, its presence in reputable news and media sources confirms its validity and effectiveness in conveying complex negative emotions. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase in written English. Consider using alternatives like "resentful stare" or "acrimonious glare" for slight variations in meaning, but be mindful of overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embittered look

Synonymous, with slight emphasis on the process of becoming bitter.

hostile gaze

Directly indicates antagonism in the manner of looking.

resentful stare

Emphasizes the hostile or indignant nature of the look.

acrimonious glare

Highlights the sharpness and hostility in the look.

scornful glance

Conveys a feeling of contempt or disdain.

cynical look

Focuses on the disbelief or distrust conveyed by the expression.

jaundiced eye

Implies a prejudiced or resentful view.

disgruntled expression

Shifts the focus from the eyes to the overall facial expression of dissatisfaction.

disappointed look

Expresses feelings of sadness or failure.

sour expression

Indicates unpleasant or disappointed feelings through a facial expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "bitter gaze" to describe a look filled with resentment, disappointment, or anger. For example: "She turned to him with a bitter gaze, her eyes reflecting the hurt he had caused her."

What's the difference between "bitter gaze" and "resentful stare"?

"Bitter gaze" implies a deeper sense of sorrow or disappointment mixed with resentment, while "resentful stare" primarily focuses on the feeling of indignation or injustice.

What are some synonyms for "bitter gaze"?

Alternatives include "resentful stare", "acrimonious glare", or "cynical look", each conveying a slightly different nuance of negative emotion.

Is "bitter gaze" too dramatic for formal writing?

While generally suitable, consider your audience and the overall tone. In very formal or academic writing, more neutral terms like "disappointed look" or "critical stare" might be more appropriate.