doubtful look

USAGE SUMMARY

"doubtful look" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase describes a facial expression, or look, that conveys doubt, uncertainty, or suspicion. For example, "He glanced at me with a doubtful look."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She gave me a doubtful look.

The New Yorker

He casts a doubtful look at me, then points towards the tiller.

Independent

When I told him that I roomed with him, too, he gave me a doubtful look.

The New Yorker

[cartoon id= gross-2009-09-14"] When I told him that I roomed with him, too, he gave me a doubtful look.

The New Yorker

He would pass me a doubtful look.

Huffington Post

I caught the doubtful look in his eye, but I didn't know what it meant.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Pointing out that Britain was in 1999 the worlds sixth-biggest producer of hydrocarbons (bigger than Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria, to name a few) provokes doubtful looks from colleagues and incredulous enquiries from fact-checkers.The obscurity of Britain's oil business is difficult to explain.

The Economist

I see a collection of doubtful looks until one chips in: "Pretty much none.

Vice

"And then we will all have to sit in this region and talk about how we can help the Iraqi people rebuild". On the other side of the tea table, there were doubtful looks, then tentative smiles, then farewells, soft hands extended.

Los Angeles Times

The phishers try to trick web users by mimicking the doubtful URL look legitimate.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Benkenstein is looking very doubtful, so I look forward to the challenge of taking the boys out to the middle," he added.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doubtful look" to subtly convey skepticism or uncertainty without explicitly stating it. This can add nuance to character descriptions or narratives.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "doubtful look" to describe a character's reaction. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "skeptical gaze" or "incredulous stare" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful look" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., 'gave a doubtful look'). It describes a facial expression characterized by skepticism or uncertainty. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doubtful look" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes a facial expression conveying skepticism or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian. While not extremely common, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts and serves to subtly express a character's internal state or reaction. For more varied descriptions, consider alternatives such as "uncertain look" or "skeptical gaze".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain look

Emphasizes a lack of certainty, focusing on the hesitant nature of the gaze.

skeptical gaze

Highlights the questioning and disbelieving nature of the look.

suspicious glance

Implies distrust or a belief that something is amiss, adding a layer of wariness.

dubious expression

Focuses on the overall facial expression rather than just the eyes, suggesting mild incredulity.

incredulous stare

Emphasizes disbelief, suggesting something is difficult to accept.

questioning gaze

Highlights the inquiring nature, implying a search for answers or clarification.

wary glance

Suggests caution and a degree of distrust, implying potential danger.

unconvinced expression

Focuses on the lack of belief, indicating that someone remains unpersuaded.

hesitant gaze

Emphasizes the pause or uncertainty in the look, suggesting reluctance.

disbelieving look

Highlights the lack of belief or acceptance, suggesting skepticism.

FAQs

What does "doubtful look" mean?

A "doubtful look" signifies an expression that conveys uncertainty, skepticism, or disbelief.

How can I use "doubtful look" in a sentence?

You can use "doubtful look" to describe someone's reaction, such as: "She gave him a "doubtful look" when he claimed he'd finished all his chores."

What are some synonyms for "doubtful look"?

Alternatives include "uncertain look", "skeptical gaze", or "suspicious glance", each conveying a slightly different nuance.

What's the difference between "doubtful look" and "suspicious look"?

While both imply uncertainty, a "doubtful look" suggests general skepticism, whereas a "suspicious look" indicates a stronger belief that something is wrong or dishonest.