distrustful glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distrustful glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a look that conveys suspicion or lack of trust towards someone or something. Example: "She cast a distrustful glance at the stranger approaching her in the dark alley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Used to go into the bank to get her checks cashed, but the every time she showed the teller her check, he would give her a distrustful glance, a and ask her if he has cashed her checks before.

The New Yorker

With his back turned to us and his distrustful glance over the shoulder he may be questioning our commitment to saving those poor and needy in ag country that congratulates itself for its religious roots.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At the very beginning?" The women were also distrustful and suspicious that others might figure out they were HIV-positive at a glance.

BMC Women's Health

She looked distrustful.

The New Yorker

He is distrustful.

The Guardian - Arts

You become distrustful.

The New York Times

Mr. Dash remained distrustful.

The New York Times

He was angry and distrustful.

The New York Times

But distrustful, angry Britain should salute him.

The Economist

The French are distrustful and despondent.

The Economist

The French are deeply distrustful of Europe.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distrustful glance" to subtly convey a character's suspicion or unease in descriptive writing. The brevity of a "glance" suggests a fleeting but telling moment of doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "distrustful glance" in situations requiring a strong expression of outrage or anger. It's a subtle indicator of unease, not outright hostility. Consider stronger terms like "furious glare" if the context demands it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distrustful glance" functions as a noun phrase, where "distrustful" modifies the noun "glance." It describes the type of glance someone gives. As Ludwig AI says, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distrustful glance" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that effectively communicates suspicion or unease. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While relatively rare, it is primarily found in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "suspicious look" and "wary gaze" offer nuanced variations, but it's important to use "distrustful glance" when conveying a subtle expression of unease rather than outright hostility. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of its meaning, usage, and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspicious gaze

Replaces "glance" with "gaze", suggesting a more sustained and intense look of suspicion. The similarity score is 95 because it implies a prolonged observation.

wary look

Substitutes "distrustful" with "wary" and "glance" with "look", indicating caution and apprehension, which is a slightly broader meaning than just distrust. It is slightly less direct. The similarity score is 90.

skeptical gaze

Replaces "distrustful" with "skeptical" which emphasizes doubt and questioning rather than outright distrust. The similarity score is 90.

doubting look

Uses "doubting" instead of "distrustful", highlighting the uncertainty aspect. The similarity score is 88.

cautious look

Substitutes "distrustful" with "cautious", suggesting a guarded and careful observation. The similarity score is 85.

suspicious peek

Uses "peek" to suggest a quick, furtive look motivated by suspicion. The similarity score is 82.

questioning stare

Replaces "glance" with "stare" for a more prolonged and direct look, and "distrustful" with "questioning" to emphasize curiosity. The similarity score is 80.

dubious look

Synonymous with "distrustful", but slightly less intense. The similarity score is 78.

untrusting gaze

A more formal synonym, employing "untrusting" instead of "distrustful". The similarity score is 75.

guarded expression

Shifts from the action of glancing to a general expression, implying an overall sense of caution and distrust. The similarity score is 70.

FAQs

How can I use "distrustful glance" in a sentence?

You can use "distrustful glance" to describe someone's look when they don't trust something or someone. For example, "She gave the stranger a "distrustful glance" as he approached her car."

What are some alternatives to "distrustful glance"?

Some alternatives to "distrustful glance" include "suspicious look", "wary gaze", or "skeptical stare", each carrying slightly different nuances.

What does a "distrustful glance" imply?

A "distrustful glance" implies a lack of trust and a degree of suspicion or unease towards someone or something. It suggests that the person giving the glance is not entirely comfortable or confident in the situation.

Is "distrustful glance" a formal or informal expression?

"Distrustful glance" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards the formal due to the use of "distrustful" over more colloquial terms.