desperate gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperate gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a look that conveys a sense of urgency, need, or hopelessness, often in emotional or dramatic contexts. Example: "She looked at him with a desperate gaze, pleading for help in her time of need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Is marching up to a waiter with your credit card acceptable if they've been avoiding your increasingly desperate gaze for over 10 minutes?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Untrained in the arts of street marketing, they bring in meager amounts of cash from tourists who are moved by their innocent and desperate gazes.

Vice

Listen, while all you amateurs were getting off to Rooney Mara's violent rape scenes or to her halfway-decent sex with Daniel Craig, I knew that the real eroticism of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo lied in one place and one place only Christopher Plummer's desperate, pleading gaze.

Vice

As well as Murray was playing, Tsonga was having a desperate time under the gaze of new coach Roger Rasheed.

BBC

AN IMAGE of St Jude, patron of desperate and hopeless causes, gazes down on the crowd that since October 22nd has occupied a square in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, in support of a dozen dissident generals and admirals.

The Economist

A brainy, 37-year-old physician with little government experience, Dr. Shah suddenly found himself coordinating a desperate emergency relief effort under the gaze of President Obama.

The New York Times

His gaze is at once desperate and challenging.

The New Yorker

I had thought that vanity was the evil queen in Snow White, gazing into her mirror, desperate to be the most beautiful in the land.

Huffington Post

Dressed in shades of grey that accentuate the pristine whiteness of her publisher's clinical offices, the 50-year old author stands out like a country girl at a City soirée, desperate to disappear but condemned to draw every gaze.

Independent

At the end, the murdered Desdemona in her pinnacled gold headdress rises again to gaze at her fate as her desperate husband and killer, Othello, kneels before her in a silent plea not for forgiveness but for punishment.

The New York Times

Johansson's performance in 'Under The Skin' is a subtle unravelling; of the inane, often desperate boredom of the traditional female routine, the male gaze as observer turned aggressor, and sexual self-discovery as underhand horror.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, combine "desperate gaze" with additional sensory details, such as trembling hands or a choked voice, to create a more vivid and impactful image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "desperate gaze" to describe mild disappointment or minor inconvenience. This phrase carries a heavy emotional weight and is best reserved for situations of genuine distress or urgency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate gaze" functions as a noun phrase, where 'desperate' modifies 'gaze'. The adjective 'desperate' intensifies the noun 'gaze', indicating a look filled with urgency, need, or hopelessness. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperate gaze" is a grammatically correct and emotionally charged expression used to depict a look filled with urgency, need, or hopelessness. As Ludwig's analysis shows, the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, where it serves to convey intense emotional states or difficult situations. Alternatives such as "frantic look" or "anguished stare" can be used to express similar sentiments with slight variations in emphasis. While appropriate for formal writing, it is important to reserve "desperate gaze" for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong emotional portrayal. According to Ludwig, "desperate gaze" adheres to standard grammar rules and its usage is acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helpless look

Emphasizes lack of power or ability to act.

frantic look

Emphasizes agitation and urgency more strongly than "desperate gaze".

panicked stare

Conveys a sense of sudden fear and anxiety.

distraught gaze

Highlights mental distress and agitation.

anguished stare

Highlights deep suffering and distress, making it more emotionally charged.

imploring eyes

Specifically refers to the eyes as conveying the desperate plea.

agonized expression

Focuses on intense mental or physical suffering.

pleading look

Focuses on the act of asking or begging for something, removing the sense of hopelessness.

beseeching look

A more formal and literary way to express a desperate request.

yearning expression

Implies a strong desire or longing, rather than desperation.

FAQs

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

You can use "desperate gaze" to describe a look conveying urgency, need, or hopelessness. For example: "She looked at him with a "desperate gaze", pleading for help".

What are some alternatives to "desperate gaze"?

Some alternatives include "frantic look", "anguished stare", or "pleading look", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "desperate gaze" in formal writing?

Yes, "desperate gaze" is appropriate in formal writing when describing a situation that warrants such strong emotion. However, be mindful of the context and ensure it aligns with the overall tone.

What's the difference between "desperate gaze" and "desperate look"?

"Desperate gaze" and "desperate look" are very similar. "Gaze" implies a steadier, more intense observation, while "look" is more general and can encompass a wider range of expressions.