hostile glare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hostile glare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a look or stare that conveys anger, aggression, or animosity from one person towards another. Example: "She shot him a hostile glare when he interrupted her during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That hostile glare implicates us as well.

The New York Times

Connoiusseurs of comedy will recall the excruciating sight of Ricky Gervais, sent to California to interview his comic idols for Channel 4, and squirming under the hostile glare of Garry Shandling (aka Larry Sanders of The Larry Sanders Show).

Independent

These bright and brassy young women found themselves in a world where, as they recalled in Oslo, you had to "work 16 hours a day and wash once a week" under the hostile glare of guards who tried to humiliate prisoners by forcing them to harm or inform on one another.

The Economist

At check-in, when the police officer at immigration wordlessly gestured me to one side with a hostile glare, Kivits stepped in and exhibited some kind of official supercard that magically gave me passage through immigration and out of my own country.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Reactions were mixed: laughter, hostile glares, and the occasional searching glance at the paper's cover (which was dominated, unhelpfully, by a photo from Kashmir).

The New Yorker

Moreover, the jurors were required to pass through a room in the court building that was teeming with the hostile glares of the defendants' relatives a scene about as intimidating as possible.

Forbes

This is thanks to the work of these associations which has been carried out in spite of continuous political intimidation from nationalists and suspicious, even overtly hostile glares from their fellow compatriots.

Huffington Post

It will be hard work -- the work of expressing opinions that are sometimes unpopular, the work of showing up at demonstrations beneath the glare of hostile strangers (or hostile law enforcement), the work of calling strangers and friends, of starting petitions or email lists, the work of educating ourselves in the work of educating others.

Huffington Post

There were many times during my childhood, as I glared at a hostile pile of peas or broccoli, when I would wonder - why oh why don't vegetables taste like ice cream?? Then we'd all be happy!

Huffington Post

The Times described Griffin as having been "caught in TV's glare", subjected to a "hostile hour-long grilling".

Wikipedia

Undeterred by glaring searchlight illumination and withering blasts of hostile weapons, he proceeded through hazardous waters, located the designated beach and directed the assault boat wave.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hostile glare" to vividly depict a character's negative emotions or intentions in your writing. It's stronger than a simple 'angry look'.

Common error

Avoid using "hostile glare" excessively in dialogue tags (e.g., 'he said with a hostile glare'). Show the hostility through actions or words instead for a more nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hostile glare" functions as a noun phrase, where 'hostile' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'glare'. It describes a specific type of look characterized by animosity or aggression. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hostile glare" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to portray anger or animosity through a look. Ludwig identifies it as valid English. While relatively infrequent, primarily appearing in news and media, the phrase effectively communicates negative emotions. Alternatives like "angry stare" or "menacing gaze" offer similar connotations. The expert analysis and Ludwig's assessment confirm the phrase's correctness and utility in descriptive writing. The source analysis show that the phrase is used across multiple authoritative sources, reinforcing its validity and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

angry stare

Focuses on the emotion behind the look rather than the intensity.

menacing gaze

Emphasizes the threatening aspect of the look.

icy stare

Highlights the cold and emotionless nature of the look.

fierce look

Indicates the intensity and forcefulness of the expression.

scowling look

Refers to a facial expression of displeasure or anger.

disapproving look

Suggests a look that indicates disagreement or disapproval.

glaring look

Uses a similar verb form to emphasize the act of staring intensely.

resentful gaze

Highlights the feeling of bitterness or indignation behind the look.

cold stare

Emphasizes the lack of warmth or friendliness in the look.

unfriendly gaze

A more general term for a look that is not welcoming or pleasant.

FAQs

How to use "hostile glare" in a sentence?

You can use "hostile glare" to describe a character's expression, for example: "She shot him a hostile glare when he interrupted her."

What can I say instead of "hostile glare"?

You can use alternatives like "angry stare", "menacing gaze", or "icy stare" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "hostile glare" or "hostile stare"?

Both "hostile glare" and "hostile stare" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the context and the specific image you want to create. "Glare" emphasizes the intensity of the look, while "stare" simply indicates a prolonged gaze.

What's the difference between "hostile glare" and "unfriendly gaze"?

"Hostile glare" implies a stronger sense of anger or aggression compared to "unfriendly gaze", which suggests a milder form of disapproval or coldness.