intimidating visage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intimidating visage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's facial expression or appearance that evokes fear or apprehension. Example: "The villain in the story had an intimidating visage that made even the bravest warriors hesitate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The effect depends heavily on the intimidating visage of Adorno.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The pair's bleached, bloodied and otherwise vampires-at-the-rave visages make the genre initially appear intimidating, when in fact their parade of self-professed commonality is refreshingly accessible.

The New York Times - Arts

The pair's bleached, bloodied and otherwise vampires-at-the-rave visages make the genre initially appear intimidating, when in fact the group's parade of self-professed commonality is refreshingly accessible; its second disc, "Ten$ion" (Zef Recordz), was released this month.

The New York Times - Arts

Even intimidating.

The New Yorker

Pretty intimidating.

The New Yorker

Immediately intimidating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why intimidating?

The Guardian - Film

'Scary, intimidating.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was very intimidating.

Cornell University

The complex is intimidating.

The New York Times

Forte: It was intimidating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intimidating visage" when you want to emphasize the visual aspect of someone's intimidating presence, highlighting the impact of their face and overall appearance. It is particularly effective in descriptive writing where creating a strong image is important.

Common error

While "intimidating visage" is a valid phrase, avoid using it in overly casual or informal settings. It's more suited to formal writing or when describing a character or situation with heightened drama or tension. In everyday conversations, simpler alternatives like "scary face" or "threatening look" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intimidating visage" functions as a descriptive element, typically acting as an adjective modifying a noun (e.g., 'The effect depends heavily on the intimidating visage of Adorno,' as seen in Ludwig). It provides a specific quality to the noun, indicating a face or appearance that inspires fear or apprehension.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intimidating visage" is a grammatically sound and descriptive term used to depict a face or appearance that evokes fear or apprehension. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is correct, though relatively rare, and it's mostly found in news and media contexts. While perfectly acceptable, bear in mind that in informal setting using a more accessible and easier alternative can be more appropriate and natural. Alternatives like "fearsome countenance" or "daunting expression" can be employed to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fearsome countenance

Replaces "intimidating" with "fearsome" and "visage" with "countenance", both conveying a sense of dread and imposing presence.

daunting expression

Substitutes "intimidating" with "daunting" and "visage" with "expression", focusing on the face's discouraging or alarming nature.

menacing appearance

Replaces "intimidating" with "menacing" and "visage" with "appearance", highlighting a threatening and potentially harmful look.

forbidding face

Replaces "intimidating" with "forbidding" and "visage" with "face", emphasizing a stern and unwelcoming look.

threatening aspect

Substitutes "intimidating" with "threatening" and "visage" with "aspect", highlighting the face's potential to cause harm or fear.

unfriendly mien

Replaces "intimidating" with "unfriendly" and "visage" with "mien", focusing on an unwelcoming and hostile demeanor.

hostile look

Substitutes "intimidating" with "hostile" and "visage" with "look", emphasizing an aggressive and antagonistic facial expression.

severe aspect

Replaces "intimidating" with "severe" and "visage" with "aspect", highlighting a strict and unyielding facial appearance.

grim expression

Substitutes "intimidating" with "grim" and "visage" with "expression", focusing on a stern and somber facial appearance.

unpleasant face

Replaces "intimidating" with "unpleasant" and "visage" with "face", focusing on the face's capacity to create discomfort or repulsion.

FAQs

How can I use "intimidating visage" in a sentence?

You can use "intimidating visage" to describe someone's facial appearance that makes others feel fearful or apprehensive. For example, "The villain's "intimidating visage" sent shivers down the hero's spine".

What are some synonyms for "intimidating visage"?

Alternatives to "intimidating visage" include "fearsome countenance", "daunting expression", or "menacing appearance". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "intimidating visage" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "intimidating visage" is more formal and literary. In everyday conversation, consider using simpler alternatives like "scary face" or "threatening look" for a more natural feel.

What is the difference between "intimidating visage" and "frightening face"?

Both phrases describe a face that causes fear, but "intimidating visage" is more formal and suggests a deliberate intent to cause fear or submission. "Frightening face" is more general and can refer to a face that is simply scary without any particular intent.