pained look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pained look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's facial expression that indicates discomfort, sadness, or distress. Example: "When she heard the news, a pained look crossed her face, revealing her deep sorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had this glazed, slightly pained look on his face that was hard to describe.

The New York Times

At the mention of the name, Christina shot her mother a pained look.

The New York Times - Travel

It's a nice touch, much like the permanently pained look on his face.

The Guardian - Opinion

"People sometimes decide they want to jump up and down," explained Otis Yudinn, with a wry, slightly pained look.

The New Yorker

"Take in a play?" asked Steven Pagan, who stopped pushing the Escalade just long enough to flash a deeply pained look.

The New York Times

From the pained look on Gillman's and Van-Manen's faces, it's apparent that they have been confronted with the "cult" word before.

The Guardian

Ed Harris, wearing a fairly pained look, was asked whether some tiny part of him didn't enjoy all the hoopla: "Yes, a very tiny part," he said.

The New York Times

You can't see his eyes behind his aviator sunglasses, but you can see a slightly pained look in Ruth's, as well as a defiance in her clasped hands.

The Guardian - Film

Seabury said the island's residents did not appear to be unduly worried about the crisis: "They shrug their shoulders, smile and give a resigned, pained look".

The Guardian

Try to forget the pained look the manager gave us at Smashburger.

Vice

A pained look crosses his face.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "pained look" to subtly convey discomfort or distress without explicitly stating their feelings. This allows readers to infer the emotion from their facial expression.

Common error

Avoid using "pained look" excessively, especially in melodramatic or overly sentimental contexts. Overusing it can weaken the impact and make the writing seem insincere. Consider showing, not telling, through actions and dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pained look" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It's used to characterize someone's facial expression, conveying a sense of suffering or distress, as shown in Ludwig's examples. This phrase often acts as a subject complement or an object of a preposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pained look" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a facial expression indicating suffering or distress. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Appearing frequently in news and media, the phrase serves to evoke empathy and understanding by subtly conveying a character's emotional state. While versatile, overuse should be avoided in overly sentimental contexts. Consider using alternatives like "anguished expression" or "distressed gaze" for variation. Overall, "pained look" is a useful and effective tool for writers seeking to convey emotion through subtle description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look of agony

Highlights intense physical or mental suffering.

anguished expression

Replaces "look" with "expression" to focus on the overall display of pain.

distressed gaze

Uses "gaze" to imply a sustained and intense look of distress.

expression of suffering

More descriptive and emphasizes the act of expressing suffering.

suffering countenance

Replaces "look" with "countenance" to suggest a formal or literary tone.

tormented appearance

Focuses on the overall visual impression of being tormented.

grief-stricken face

Emphasizes the element of grief as the cause of the pained expression.

wretched aspect

Suggests a deeply miserable and unfortunate condition reflected in the face.

face etched with pain

Uses metaphorical language to describe the deep impact of pain.

weary expression

Highlights the exhaustion and strain associated with the pain.

FAQs

How can I describe a "pained look" more vividly?

To add more detail, consider specifying the part of the face affected, such as "a "pained look around the eyes"" or "a "pained look creased his forehead"". You could also use figurative language to compare the expression to something else, like "a "pained look like a bruise"".

What emotions does a "pained look" typically convey?

A "pained look" usually indicates suffering, which can stem from various emotions like sadness, regret, remorse, or physical discomfort. The specific emotion depends on the context, and the expression can range from a subtle grimace to an overt display of anguish.

Is "pained look" a formal or informal expression?

"Pained look" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, more formal alternatives like "anguished expression" or "suffering countenance" may be preferred in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between a "pained look" and a "sad look"?

While both suggest negative emotions, a "sad look" primarily conveys sorrow or unhappiness. A "pained look", on the other hand, suggests a deeper level of suffering, which may be physical, emotional, or psychological. The "pained look" implies a more intense or acute form of distress.