cold stare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cold stare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a look that is unfriendly, emotionless, or disapproving, often conveying a sense of hostility or indifference. Example: "She gave him a cold stare, making it clear that she was not pleased with his behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

If the boy keeps staring at you in class and you caught him staring at you, just turn and give him a cold stare.

WikiHow

Mandela gave me a cold stare.

The Washington Post

There they found Mr. Ruiz's cold stare.

The New York Times

Mr. Cochrane shot his noisy neighbors a cold stare.

The New York Times

He looks back at me with a cold stare.

The New York Times

He throws me a cold stare, then shuts his eyes.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

When Alex Love drew Taversha Norwood, we were treated to the first ice cold stare-down of the night.

Huffington Post

He wore a stone-cold stare, his square jaw clenched.

The New York Times - Sports

What can you do with a reputation as a streetwise talent, a stone-cold stare and a great voice?

The Guardian - Music

His ice-cold stare, the raised scar on one cheek and his woolly jumpsuit with matching hat and pom-pom.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When the waiter finally took his order, Rollins replied with a stone-cold stare and a nasty use of profanity that silenced everyone at the table.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold stare" to vividly depict a character's reaction or create a specific atmosphere in your writing. It's particularly effective when showing disapproval, warning, or emotional detachment.

Common error

Avoid using "cold stare" repetitively to describe a character's default expression. This can make the description feel cliché and weaken its impact. Vary your descriptions of facial expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold stare" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "cold" modifies the noun "stare". Ludwig's examples showcase its use to describe a specific type of look conveying negative emotions or detachment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cold stare" is a common and effective way to describe a look characterized by disapproval, emotional distance, or hostility. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, predominantly in News & Media and Wiki contexts. The expert rating confirms its validity and consistent use. When aiming for variation, consider alternatives such as "icy glare" or "frigid gaze". Remember to use the phrase judiciously in your writing to avoid repetition and maintain its impactful effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

icy glare

Replaces "cold" with "icy" to emphasize the emotionless and potentially hostile nature of the look.

frigid gaze

Substitutes both words for synonyms that highlight the lack of warmth and emotional distance.

steely gaze

Emphasizes the hardness and determination in the look, removing the temperature-related adjective.

blank stare

Focuses on the absence of emotion, rather than implying hostility.

disapproving look

Shifts the focus to the sentiment being expressed through the look.

unfriendly gaze

Uses a more general term for negative sentiment.

hostile look

Highlights the animosity of the expression.

glaring look

Focuses on the intensity and obviousness of the expression.

piercing gaze

Suggests a sharp, penetrating quality to the look.

unwelcoming look

Focuses on the lack of hospitality conveyed.

FAQs

How to use "cold stare" in a sentence?

You can use "cold stare" to describe someone's facial expression, for example: "She gave him a cold stare after he interrupted her."

What can I say instead of "cold stare"?

You can use alternatives like "icy glare", "frigid gaze", or "steely gaze" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone gives you a "cold stare"?

A "cold stare" typically indicates disapproval, anger, or emotional distance. It can be a non-verbal way of expressing negative feelings without saying anything.

Is a "cold stare" always negative?

Yes, a "cold stare" almost always carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of warmth or friendliness. The intensity can range from mild disapproval to outright hostility.