fearful look

USAGE SUMMARY

"fearful look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a look of fear on someone's face or in their eyes, usually in a dramatic situation. For example, "The robber saw the police car and gave the cashier a fearful look."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

— That suffocated, fearful look on your face.

The New Yorker

THE tailor flashed me a haunted, fearful look when I walked in last week carrying a pair of jeans.

The New York Times

But the film quickly flashes back to her childhood, when Norma Jeane is played with a poignant, fearful look by Skye McCole Bartusiak.

The New York Times

More important, from the fearful look in her eyes when they meet, and the uncomprehending look in his — even when she says, "You're not normal" — his desire to settle seems chimerical.

The New York Times

The overtly fearful look on all of the supposed felons' faces, and the evidence in the hands of a second, entangled officer, lead one to believe that there is little hope for defense.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Now, people can ask whatever they like," he says, then casts darting, fearful looks around the room.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expressions of congratulatory warmth were extended at arm's length, with fearful looks, as if I'd just been found to have a contagious tapeworm.

The Guardian

No major police occupation, no feeling of tension, no fearful looks between strangers.

Huffington Post

The eyes look like polished tin; the lips are drawn back, and the principal feature next to those dreadful eyes is the teeth -- the fearful looking teeth -- projecting like those of some wild animal, hideously, glaringly white, and fang-like.

Huffington Post

Fearful to look too far into the future, grateful for the present.

The Guardian

"On paper, having these two shows right after each other was fearful to look at," Mr. Horowitz said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fearful look" to vividly depict a character's internal state in descriptive writing, enhancing emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid confusing "fearful look", which means showing fear, with 'fearsome look', which means causing fear in others. Ensure your word choice accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fearful look" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun or pronoun, typically describing the appearance or expression of a person experiencing fear. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fearful look" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon way to describe an expression of fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it serves to vividly depict a person's emotional state. Related phrases such as "anxious look" or "apprehensive look" offer subtle variations in meaning. When using "fearful look", ensure you're accurately conveying the intended sense of being scared, and avoid confusing it with 'fearsome', which implies causing fear. In conclusion, while not overly frequent, "fearful look" is a valid and descriptive phrase when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apprehensive look

Emphasizes a sense of foreboding or anxiety about something that might happen.

anxious look

Highlights worry and unease in the expression.

frightened look

Directly conveys a sense of being scared or startled in the expression.

worried look

Focuses on concern and distress evident in the expression.

scared look

Informal way of saying frightened, indicating a fearful expression.

timid look

Indicates shyness or a lack of confidence reflected in the expression.

dreadful look

Implies the look is filled with intense fear and horror.

terrified expression

Shifts from 'look' to 'expression' to describe a face displaying extreme fear.

haunted look

Suggests a look of being deeply affected by something traumatic or disturbing.

panicked expression

Highlights a state of intense anxiety and fear, often sudden.

FAQs

What does "fearful look" mean?

A "fearful look" refers to an expression on someone's face that indicates they are experiencing fear or apprehension.

What are some synonyms for "fearful look"?

Synonyms include "apprehensive look", "anxious look", or "worried look", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

You might say, "The child gave a "fearful look" as the storm approached" or "A "fearful look" flashed across his face when he heard the news."

What's the difference between "fearful look" and "fearsome look"?

"Fearful look" describes someone who is experiencing fear, while "fearsome look" describes someone who is causing fear in others.