dreadful face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dreadful face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's face that evokes feelings of fear, disgust, or strong negative emotions. Example: "As she turned to face him, he couldn't help but notice her dreadful face, twisted in anger and despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Jill keeps a bright, straight, dreadful face on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It, however, is really possible that – maybe not in one but maybe in five years – history will show us its dreadful face again – here in this part of the world, just as it did so many times before.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sex in these films is linked with darkness, dotted with dire faces, dreadful expressions and moody scores that all sound like Vangelis after a highly introspective cocaine experience.

Vice

"Hi, I brought in flying squirrels!" A dreadful look washed over Mrs. Hedren's face.

Duke University

It has to be a dreadful thing, facing the end of a career after doing something you've loved for 30-plus years.

Los Angeles Times

It sounds pretty dreadful, on the face of it.

The New York Times

The Moscow State Yiddish Theatre had to please Stalin and his henchmen or face dreadful consequences.

The Guardian

These sold better, and reinforced her fame.Her protagonists were now mostly men facing dreadful deaths, but the voice was still Beryl's, and the beady eyes were missing nothing: a horse's tail "dense as soot", climbers falling on an ice slope "like flies fluttering against a window", a jellyfish going out "like a candle" when it was pulled from the sea.

The Economist

STEVE FORBES: Colombia is facing dreadful attacks from drug-financed guerrillas.

Forbes

To face this dreadful scenario, a few decades ago the International Pediatric Adrenocortical Tumor Registry (IPACTR) was established.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

It is not easy to be peaceful and loving in the face of dreadful violence but it's all we have.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dreadful face" to vividly describe a character's appearance when you want to evoke a strong sense of fear, disgust, or unease in your reader. For example, in horror or suspense writing, this phrase can be particularly effective.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful face" in casual or lighthearted contexts, as its intensity can sound melodramatic or out of place. Consider using milder terms like "unpleasant expression" or "unhappy face" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful face" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "dreadful" modifies the noun "face", adding a layer of intense negativity. Ludwig AI examples indicate that it is employed to evoke strong emotional reactions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dreadful face" is a descriptive noun phrase used to evoke strong negative emotions, such as fear and disgust. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its use is somewhat rare, it appears in News & Media and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it is advisable to reserve it for contexts where a strong emotional impact is desired, avoiding overuse in more casual settings. Related phrases include "horrific countenance" and "ghastly visage", offering similar but stylistically varied alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrific countenance

Replaces "face" with "countenance" offering a more formal and dramatic tone, while "horrific" intensifies the dread.

ghastly visage

Substitutes "face" with "visage" for a more archaic and literary feel, while "ghastly" implies a pale and frightening appearance.

terrible expression

Focuses on the expression rather than the physical features of the face, conveying the emotional impact.

frightful appearance

Shifts the focus to overall appearance, broadening the scope beyond just the face but maintaining a sense of dread.

horrendous features

Highlights specific facial features as being particularly unpleasant or frightening.

appalling look

Emphasizes the immediate visual impression created by the face, implying shock and disgust.

revolting mug

Uses slang term "mug" for face and "revolting" for dreadful, changing the register to informal and conveying strong dislike.

disgusting physiognomy

Replaces "face" with the more technical "physiognomy" to refer to the study of facial features and replaces "dreadful" with "disgusting".

offensive facade

Uses "facade" as a metaphor for face, suggesting a superficial but unpleasant appearance; "offensive" conveys a sense of outrage.

ugly mug

Replaces "face" with "mug" for informal register, combined with the simpler descriptor "ugly".

FAQs

What does "dreadful face" mean?

A "dreadful face" describes a facial appearance that evokes feelings of fear, disgust, or intense negativity. It suggests something deeply unpleasant or frightening in someone's features or expression.

What can I say instead of "dreadful face"?

You can use alternatives like "horrific countenance", "ghastly visage", or "terrible expression", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe someone's face as "dreadful"?

Describing someone's face as "dreadful" can be quite harsh and judgmental. It's generally best to avoid such descriptions unless you're writing fiction or describing a character with intentionally negative qualities. Consider the impact of your words and whether a milder description would be more appropriate.

In what contexts is the phrase "dreadful face" typically used?

The phrase "dreadful face" is often used in literary or dramatic contexts to create a strong emotional response. You might find it in horror stories, suspense novels, or historical accounts where intense emotions and frightening experiences are being described.