looks fearful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks fearful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that appears to be experiencing fear or anxiety. Example: "The dog looks fearful as it cowers in the corner during the thunderstorm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Sometimes he looks fearful of what's happening around him.

The New York Times - Sports

In photos taken just about then, she appears to be screaming, and looks fearful, not exultant.

The New Yorker

The passengers, meanwhile, are glumly watching the water rise, noting the lack of lifeboats.The financial weather still looks fearful.

The Economist

As usual, she looks fearful here, as if she somehow believes that she has to work 10 times harder than the next person; that's just her lot.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Indeed, it risks looking fearful and half-cocked.

Independent

Restricted!" The other board members start looking fearful.

The New Yorker

Any more, and they stir on their roosts, looking fearful and resentful all at once.

The New York Times

The current plan, he added, "risks looking fearful and half-cock".

Independent

By "Seven Plus Seven," Neil's eyes had gone utterly dead, and he looked fearful.

The New Yorker

They look fearful and vulnerable, and at several points draw up their shifts to reveal girlish red knickers.

The Guardian

To fuel and stoke it, awareness-raisers erect billboards on the sides of highways, with black-and-white photos of girls looking fearful and red letters crying "not for sale".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "looks fearful" to vividly convey their inner fear through their outward appearance. This adds depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "looks fearful" to describe someone actively causing fear. Instead, use it to depict the person experiencing fear. For example, say 'the character looks fearful' not 'the villain looks fearful'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks fearful" functions as a descriptive expression, primarily used to depict the outward appearance of someone or something experiencing fear. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It connects an observation ('looks') with an emotional state ('fearful').

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks fearful" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe someone or something that outwardly expresses fear or anxiety. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase appears across numerous reputable sources, primarily within the realm of news and media. This phrase serves to vividly portray an emotional state, enhancing the descriptive power of written communication. Keep in mind that the phrase focuses on describing the person experiencing fear rather than the cause of the fear itself. With that in mind, using alternatives such as "appears afraid" or "seems frightened" can provide similar meanings with slight nuances in the emotional impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears afraid

Focuses on the emotional state using 'afraid' instead of 'fearful'.

seems frightened

Uses 'frightened' to emphasize a sudden, intense fear.

looks scared

Employs the more common and informal term 'scared'.

appears apprehensive

Replaces "fearful" with "apprehensive", indicating anxiety about the future.

seems intimidated

Suggests that the fear stems from a sense of being overpowered or threatened.

has a terrified expression

Shifts focus to the facial expression as an indicator of fear.

displays anxiety

Indicates a general state of unease and worry.

reveals trepidation

Uses the more formal term 'trepidation' to express a state of alarm or dread.

exhibits nervousness

Emphasizes the outward signs of anxiety, such as fidgeting or trembling.

appears uneasy

Suggests a lack of comfort and a sense of being ill at ease.

FAQs

What does "looks fearful" mean?

The phrase "looks fearful" describes someone or something that appears to be experiencing fear or anxiety. It indicates that their outward appearance reflects an inner state of fear.

What can I say instead of "looks fearful"?

You can use alternatives such as "appears afraid", "seems frightened", or "looks scared", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "looks fearfully"?

While grammatically possible, "looks fearfully" is less common. "Looks fearful" is generally preferred to describe someone's appearance, while "fearfully" often modifies an action. For example, "He glanced fearfully at the shadow."

How can I use "looks fearful" in a sentence?

You can use "looks fearful" to describe someone's expression or demeanor. For example, "She looks fearful as she watches the storm approach", or "The markets looks fearful of the global recession."