look disturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look disturbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's facial expression or demeanor that indicates they are upset, worried, or unsettled. Example: "When she heard the news, she began to look disturbed, her brow furrowing in concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The eyes' pupils were little black beads that rolled around and occasionally got stuck, making the mascots look disturbed and unpredictable.

Vice

How she is behaving, if you are there, you start thinking and become worried sometimes you wake up and look disturbed because she is in the room and will not get out.

Global Health Action

If they look disturbed, then you know it's working.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He looked disturbed and insisted we lie head to toe.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was the first time in a while that Mary Celeste had seen him cry, tears and tears without stop, and she looked disturbed and rabbity.

The New Yorker

No one else had entered the studio, and nothing looked disturbed when one of his co-workers found his body the next morning.

The New York Times - Magazine

Video and photographs of the incident showed that while several members of the club's support staff celebrated with the player, others looked disturbed by the gesture, and at least one older man tried to pull his arm down.

The New York Times

When questioned about the effect of this monomania, he replied, looking disturbed at the thought: "Well, it would have been better if it had been a little more balanced, a little more rounded.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, during the Alexander Autographs auction on Thursday, Mr. Panagopulos looked disturbed when he pointed out that the infamous Nazi doctor Josef Mengele's signature fetched $5,500, which was "unfortunately almost bringing in as much as George Washington".

The New York Times

In the third row, a woman with long black hair looked disturbed, her eyebrows raised incredulously as she asked the editors, "Do more people share their horror stories or the happy stories?" "No, no, no.

The New Yorker

They cut to Zac Posen, and he looks disturbed and depressed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look disturbed" to describe a visible emotional state in a person. For a more nuanced description, consider adding context regarding the specific emotion or situation causing the disturbance.

Common error

Avoid using "look disturbed" to describe abstract concepts or situations that do not involve a visual appearance. For example, don't say "the plan looked disturbed"; instead, consider "the plan seemed flawed" or "the plan appeared problematic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look disturbed" functions as a linking verb ("look") followed by a subject complement ("disturbed"). It describes a state of being or appearance, indicating how someone appears visually. The usage is supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "look disturbed" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe someone's visible state of unease or worry. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is "correct" and applicable across numerous contexts. While relatively common, it's important to consider more nuanced alternatives like "appear troubled" or "seem unsettled" to convey the specific emotion effectively. When writing, avoid using "look disturbed" for non-visual contexts. With high source quality, including reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear troubled

Focuses on the overall appearance of being bothered.

seem unsettled

Highlights a lack of calmness or stability in demeanor.

appear agitated

Emphasizes visible restlessness or nervousness.

look uneasy

Describes a lack of comfort or confidence in appearance.

seem worried

Highlights the appearance of concern or anxiety.

appear distressed

Emphasizes a higher degree of suffering or pain in appearance.

look perturbed

Implies a slight annoyance or disruption of composure.

seem anxious

Focuses on the appearance of nervousness and apprehension.

appear concerned

Highlights the appearance of worry or interest in a problem.

look flustered

Describes an appearance of being rushed or confused.

FAQs

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

You can use "look disturbed" to describe someone's facial expression or demeanor when they are upset, worried, or unsettled. For example, "She began to look disturbed when she heard the news".

What are some alternatives to "look disturbed"?

You can use alternatives like "appear troubled", "seem unsettled", or "look uneasy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "look disturbed" or "seem disturbed"?

Both "look disturbed" and "seem disturbed" are acceptable. "Look disturbed" emphasizes the visual appearance, while "seem disturbed" focuses on the overall impression or feeling. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the visual aspect or the general sense of unease.

What's the difference between "look disturbed" and "feel disturbed"?

"Look disturbed" describes someone's outward appearance, indicating they appear troubled or upset. "Feel disturbed" describes an internal emotional state, indicating that someone is experiencing unease or discomfort. You might look disturbed even if you don't feel that way internally, and vice versa.