disbelieving look

USAGE SUMMARY

"disbelieving look" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone's expression when they find something hard to believe or are skeptical. Example: She gave him a disbelieving look when he claimed he could fly. Alternative expressions include "skeptical glance" and "doubtful expression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The glum, disbelieving look on young Antonio's face suggested otherwise.

The New York Times

"Can you imagine?" Dramé said, with a disbelieving look.

The New Yorker

With a disbelieving look on his wizened, tobacco-stained face, the sheik signed a receipt.

The New York Times

But his feelings betrayed him tonight, and he wore a disbelieving look for much of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

A miserable Bert van Marwijk stands on the touchline, a disbelieving look on his face, wondering where it all went wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

When I asked what she liked about Beyoncé, she answered, with a slightly disbelieving look, "This is an album about voices, and she's got the most amazing voice".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The defining image of Kidd in this seventh game of the Eastern Conference finals was the Nets' captain and leader sitting on the bench with a heat pack on his back, a brace secured to his left knee and a disbelieving expression on his face.

The New York Times - Sports

The heart flatlines upon the arrival of multiple Golden Globe winner Laura Linney, stuck with the one understandably disbelieving expression as New York's police chief; her presence suggests some Tina Fey parody of Bay's cinema, only with laughter replaced by sadness at such an egregious example of thesp waste.

The Guardian - Film

"We handed him a Kleenex," she says, in a still-disbelieving tone.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You're someone who's willing to stand for the truth and reality of spirit in a disbelieving world.

Huffington Post

"They've already said they'll be sending me some pictures," he said, but the image rooted in his mind during the seven-hour flight will be the disbelieving mass of blue and yellow upon which he looked as he lifted the winners' trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disbelieving look" to succinctly describe a facial expression indicating skepticism or incredulity. It's effective for showing a character's internal state without explicit narration.

Common error

Avoid using "disbelieving look" when you actually mean the person is expressing active disapproval or disagreement. "Disbelieving" indicates doubt or incredulity, not necessarily opposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disbelieving look" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where 'disbelieving' modifies 'look'. This describes a specific facial expression indicating skepticism or incredulity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disbelieving look" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich phrase used to depict a facial expression of doubt or incredulity. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, its frequency is classified as uncommon, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "expression of incredulity" may be preferable. Understanding the subtle nuances of this phrase allows for more precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a look of disbelief

Rephrases to emphasize the state of disbelief.

an expression of incredulity

Substitutes both words for a more formal and emphatic tone.

skeptical expression

Replaces "disbelieving" with "skeptical", focusing on doubt.

a skeptical gaze

Combines "skeptical" and "gaze" for a slightly different nuance.

incredulous gaze

Substitutes "look" with "gaze", implying a prolonged stare of disbelief.

unbelieving stare

Uses "unbelieving" instead of "disbelieving", emphasizing a direct gaze.

doubtful countenance

Replaces both words to convey a similar meaning with a formal tone.

dubious glance

Uses "dubious" instead of "disbelieving", suggesting uncertainty.

unconvinced expression

Emphasizes the lack of conviction or belief.

an air of incredulity

Describes an atmosphere or feeling of disbelief surrounding someone.

FAQs

How can I describe a "disbelieving look" in more detail?

To add more detail, specify which part of the face conveys the disbelief, such as "a "disbelieving raise of an eyebrow"" or "a "disbelieving shake of the head"".

What's a more formal alternative to "disbelieving look"?

More formal alternatives include "expression of incredulity" or "skeptical countenance", which are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is "disbelieving look" appropriate for all writing contexts?

While "disbelieving look" is generally acceptable, consider your audience and the overall tone. In very formal contexts, a more sophisticated phrase like "dubious mien" might be more fitting.

What does a "disbelieving look" imply?

A "disbelieving look" implies that the person doubts the truth or validity of something they've seen or heard. It suggests skepticism, incredulity, or a sense that something is too far-fetched to be true.