hostile gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hostile gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a look or stare that conveys animosity or aggression from one person towards another. Example: "She felt uncomfortable under his hostile gaze, as if he were judging her every move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

No Georgian checkpoints, no need to lurch along rocky bypass roads, no rooting for documents under the hostile gaze of soldiers.

The New York Times

We live in a country of more or less total surveillance, but it is an indifferent or hostile gaze which indicates that our extreme individualism has isolated us from one another.

The Guardian - Opinion

After all, if the Collins compilers are to be believed, there must have been a moment when, in some train chugging through the north country or in a double-decker inching its way along the Wandsworth Road, someone with not the least idea of the consequences for lexicography turned a hostile gaze on the person in the next seat and instructed them to "stop bloody well manspreading".

Independent

They shuffled uncertainly under the hostile gaze of Syrian troops and intelligence officers toward a makeshift processing center in a run-down banquet hall.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I remember how vulnerable I felt, emotionally as well as physically, during the first couple of years after I came out, and how thankful I was that my online job enabled me to hide away in my apartment on those days when I didn't feel equal to bearing up under the hostile gazes of others -- a luxury less readily accessible to her.

Huffington Post

Especially astute is Chariandy's depiction of the hostile white gaze: the police officers in Brother look upon all black men as potential suspects and treat them as such.

The Guardian - Books

A proffered hand becomes "a big white worm," a glass of beer a hostile partner whose "gaze" the hero attempts to avoid for half an hour; a pebble on the beach reveals the "nausea" that is communicated from the world "through the hands".

SEP

As I stood on the quarter deck, stiff under the intense gaze of a hostile crowd, I felt I was being subjected to the torture of the pillory.

The New York Times

Rather, the letter appears in a position that encourages the user to shift their gaze from the part of the screen that showed the hostile face.

BBC

Whose gaze?

The New York Times - Arts

It was hostile".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hostile gaze", consider the specific emotion you want to convey. While it generally implies animosity, think about whether "menacing", "disapproving", or another adjective might be more precise.

Common error

Be careful not to overuse "hostile gaze" when a milder expression like "uncomfortable stare" would be more appropriate. "Hostile" implies a strong degree of animosity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hostile gaze" functions as a noun phrase, where 'hostile' modifies 'gaze'. It describes a specific type of look characterized by animosity or aggression. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in narrative contexts to depict tense or uncomfortable situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hostile gaze" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While the phrase is relatively rare, it effectively conveys a strong sense of animosity or aggression through a look. When using the phrase, consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to portray and whether alternatives like "unfriendly stare" or "menacing glare" might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfriendly stare

This alternative replaces "hostile" with "unfriendly", offering a milder connotation.

menacing glare

This alternative uses "menacing" to emphasize a threatening quality in the look.

aggressive look

This alternative uses "aggressive" to describe the nature of the look.

disapproving look

This alternative focuses on disapproval rather than outright hostility.

icy stare

This alternative suggests a cold and emotionless form of hostility.

cold glare

This alternative focuses on the cold, emotionless aspect of the hostile look.

scornful gaze

This alternative highlights the element of contempt in the look.

glaring daggers

This alternative is an idiom, meaning to look angrily at someone.

angry stare

This alternative replaces "hostile" with the more direct "angry".

resentful look

This alternative implies the look is filled with resentment.

FAQs

How can I use "hostile gaze" in a sentence?

You can use "hostile gaze" to describe a look that conveys animosity or aggression. For example, "She felt uncomfortable under his hostile gaze".

What can I say instead of "hostile gaze"?

You can use alternatives like "unfriendly stare", "menacing glare", or "aggressive look" depending on the context.

What kind of emotion does "hostile gaze" convey?

"Hostile gaze" typically conveys animosity, aggression, or strong disapproval. The intensity can range, but it generally suggests a negative and confrontational emotion.

Is "hostile gaze" formal or informal?

"Hostile gaze" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its impact is stronger than more neutral alternatives. The choice depends on the desired tone.