improbable look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improbable look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an appearance or expression that seems unlikely or unexpected in a given context. Example: "She gave him an improbable look when he suggested they go skydiving on a whim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even if you can squint at Floyd's improbable looks, this story of two country singers who form a lasting emotional bond despite their differences in age, outlook and career prospects requires you to suspend a little more disbelief than is usually the case at a musical.

The New York Times

Tharwat, according to IMDb, is 73 years old and is "known for 'A Day of My Life' (1961), 'Beware of Love' (1960) and 'Part Virgin' (1961)." We'll let you be the judge of how similar these two beauties are, but just remember Reddit did crack Taylor Swift's improbable look-alike.

Huffington Post

Q4: You've made films where improbable things look realistic.

The Guardian - Film

Their quotidian fixations and pious self-posturing achieve a magnificently improbable universality: look past the talk of seaweed farming and pilgrimages to sacred wells, and you start to sense that the corpses' gripes and tall-tales — about drunken excursions, sticky-fingered neighbors, scheming paramours — are the same ones heard at bars and bus stops from Baltimore to Beijing.

The New Yorker

Wagner was always a great carrier out of his intentions, however monumental and improbable they looked on paper.

The Guardian - Music

In the second overtime, however, Arkansas' improbable comeback looked futile when Crimson Tide kicker Brian Bostick lined up for a 38-yard potential game winner.

The New York Times - Sports

His dark clothing makes him almost invisible, like a puppet-master pulling her strings, and as her moves become more and more improbable, it looks as if our dancer is defying gravity.

The Guardian

Chasing an England-record 346 to win and resuming on 16-2, thostssts attacked throughout the final day and, when Matt Prior and Graeme Swann shared a rapid eighth-wicket stand of 78, an improbable victory looked increasingly likely.

BBC

"A return to high growth looks improbable today, but paraphrasing Nelson Mandela, it always looks improbable until it's done," he said.

The New York Times

But the election commission's decision to cancel them now makes that look improbable.

The Economist

That could leave less time for exercise.Even if perverse consequences of this type look improbable, a junk-food tax may have less impact than its advocates expect.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "improbable look" when you want to subtly emphasize that something's appearance defies expectations, rather than being simply strange or unusual.

Common error

Avoid using "improbable look" in casual conversations. Simpler words like "odd" or "strange" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improbable look" functions as a descriptive phrase, where 'improbable' modifies the noun 'look'. It describes an appearance that is unlikely or unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, as shown in available examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "improbable look" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit somewhat rare in common parlance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys an unexpected or unlikely appearance. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to express disbelief or surprise concerning a visual aspect. While not incorrect in informal settings, simpler alternatives like "strange look" might be more fitting. When aiming to subtly underscore that an appearance defies expectations, "improbable look" is a suitable choice, adding a layer of nuanced description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely appearance

Focuses more on the visual aspect being unexpected.

implausible appearance

Highlights the difficulty in believing the appearance is real or genuine.

unexpected visage

Uses a more formal term for face, emphasizing surprise.

surprising aspect

Generalizes the appearance to a broader aspect or feature.

remarkable countenance

Emphasizes the noteworthy or striking nature of the face.

curious mien

Indicates an interesting or peculiar expression.

odd look

Simplifies the phrase to a more basic description of strangeness.

strange expression

Focuses on the facial expression rather than the overall appearance.

uncommon aspect

Describes a rare or unusual visual quality.

peculiar air

Suggests a strange or eccentric atmosphere surrounding the appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "improbable look" to describe someone or something whose appearance seems unlikely or defies expectations. For instance, "Even if you can squint at Floyd's "improbable look", this story requires you to suspend disbelief."

What are some alternatives to "improbable look"?

Alternatives include "unlikely appearance", "implausible appearance", or "surprising aspect" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "improbable look" a formal or informal phrase?

"Improbable look" leans towards a more formal register and is often found in news and media contexts. Simpler terms might be better suited for casual settings.

When should I use "improbable look" instead of "strange look"?

Use "improbable look" when you want to emphasize that something's appearance is not just strange, but also defies expectation or seems almost impossible. "Strange look" is more general.