disbelieving stare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disbelieving stare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a look that conveys doubt or disbelief towards something that has been said or done. Example: "When she heard the outrageous claim, she shot him a disbelieving stare, unable to comprehend his words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Hence the shock, the wild-eyed, disbelieving stare as Holmes crossed the line victorious in the 800m before returning a few days later to complete the double in the 1,500m.

Independent

I held it up and met my mother's disbelieving stare.

The New York Times - Magazine

As their seasons end, their faces seem to melt, too, in an all-to-familiar scene of sorrow that blends into a kind of blank disbelieving stare.

The Washington Post

If you had told anyone leaving the theatre that Chimo was a Gentile (she grew up Albanian Orthodox and Roman Catholic, near Boston), you would have received a disbelieving stare.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We headed south, dodging traffic, bus fumes and disbelieving stares.

The New York Times

There were schedule conflicts and disbelieving stares from my grown children.

University of Pennsylvania

"The Czech Republic," answered one person after another on being asked to name their country, some greeting the question with disbelieving stares.

The Guardian

We were met by the disbelieving stares of the accountant and his attorney.

Forbes

"Road works!" Prashanna explains with a smile, seeing my disbelieving stares.

The Guardian

It was immediately clear that Stokes, 24, would not bear his burden lightly, as he stared disbelieving and vacant into the Kolkata night, but Bayliss, the England head coach, is confident there will be no lasting damage.

The Guardian - Sport

When Edwin van der Sar put his hands out for Robin van Persie's cross, then took them in again as Rio Ferdinand stared disbelieving into the whites of his eyes and Arsenal went ahead, it was no more than United had coming to them.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's reaction, use "disbelieving stare" to vividly show their skepticism rather than simply stating they didn't believe something.

Common error

Avoid using "disbelieving stare" too frequently when writing dialogue. Show disbelief through actions and words, not just descriptions of facial expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disbelieving stare" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "disbelieving" modifies the noun "stare". It describes a particular type of gaze expressing doubt or incredulity. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disbelieving stare" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase, vividly depicting a reaction of doubt or incredulity. While relatively uncommon, it frequently appears in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "incredulous gaze" or "skeptical look" to add variety to your writing. Avoid overuse in dialogue to maintain realism, and focus on showing disbelief through actions and words, too. The phrase conveys a neutral tone that is generally suitable for a broad audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a stare of disbelief

Reorders the words, putting the emphasis on the stare, while maintaining the overall meaning.

a look of disbelief

This alternative is a more descriptive version of the main query with nearly the same meaning.

incredulous expression

Synonymous alternative, replaces "stare" with the slightly broader term "expression".

incredulous gaze

Replaces "disbelieving" with "incredulous" and "stare" with "gaze", maintaining the core meaning of disbelief but with a slightly more formal tone.

a gaze of incredulity

A more formal alternative, replacing "stare" with "gaze" and "disbelieving" with "incredulity".

unbelieving look

A more direct alternative, replacing "disbelieving" with "unbelieving", which carries the same sense of doubt.

skeptical look

Substitutes "disbelieving stare" with a more direct expression of skepticism, focusing on the doubt rather than the visual expression.

doubtful expression

Emphasizes the internal feeling of doubt rather than the outward action of staring, making it a more general description.

unconvinced look

Highlights the lack of persuasion or acceptance, changing the focus from the act of disbelief to the state of being unconvinced.

dubious glance

Uses "dubious" to convey uncertainty and "glance" to suggest a quick, questioning look.

FAQs

How can I use "disbelieving stare" in a sentence?

You can use "disbelieving stare" to describe someone's reaction to surprising or unbelievable news. For example, "She gave him a "disbelieving stare" when he announced he was quitting his job."

What are some alternatives to "disbelieving stare"?

Some alternatives to "disbelieving stare" include "incredulous gaze", "skeptical look", or "doubtful expression", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "disbelieving stare" formal or informal?

"Disbelieving stare" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing contexts.

What does a "disbelieving stare" imply?

A "disbelieving stare" implies that someone is finding it difficult to accept something as true or valid. It suggests a degree of skepticism, doubt, or incredulity.