piercing look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "piercing look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gaze that is intense, penetrating, or deeply insightful, often conveying strong emotions or thoughts. Example: "She gave him a piercing look that made him reconsider his words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But I couldn't erase her piercing look from my mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sal's wife (pregnant at the time) gave me a piercing look.

Harvard Business Review

The piercing look, the muscled back, the practiced hand on the velvet rope.

The New York Times

The piercing look of Abbie Putnam, his father's new bride, is hard too.

The New York Times

In the middle of the visit, she gave me a piercing look.

The New York Times

Jahangir's eyes give a piercing look, different from the unfocused stare of the characters portrayed by Moghul artists, Jahangir included.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Our son gave me one of his piercing looks, but this time I wasn't relenting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Thanks to that daring flared collar and distinctly naval cut – not to mention his own three-day stubble and piercing looks – Ainslie now exudes the air of a maritime pioneer, the kind that fights the Frenchies off with a blunderbuss before heading home to romance a peeress.

The Guardian - Sport

And doesn't she give long, piercing looks at his portrait over the mantel?

Wikipedia

He shot them with steady hands and piercing looks and a face that embodied his ruined childhood.

Huffington Post

Williams leads 6-0, *5-4 Pierce looked like putting pressure on Williams's serve at a most timely interval, but a wild backhand and a long forehand put paid to any such ideas.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piercing look" to vividly describe a gaze that is intense, penetrating, or deeply insightful. It's effective when you want to convey strong emotions or thoughts through a character's expression.

Common error

Avoid using "piercing look" when a simple observation is intended. Reserve it for situations where the intensity and depth of the gaze are significant to the narrative or description. For example, saying someone gave a "piercing look" when they were simply glancing at something would be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piercing look" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It vividly characterizes the nature of a gaze, emphasizing its intensity and depth. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piercing look" is a descriptive noun phrase used to convey intensity, scrutiny, or deep understanding through a gaze. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and commonly used across various contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki entries. Related phrases like "intense gaze" or "penetrating stare" offer alternative ways to express this concept. Remember to use "piercing look" when you want to highlight the depth and impact of someone's gaze.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense gaze

Focuses on the intensity of the look, simplifying the description.

penetrating stare

Highlights the depth and directness of the gaze.

sharp gaze

Emphasizes the keenness and focus of the look.

probing gaze

Suggests an intent to uncover something through looking.

scrutinizing look

Implies careful and critical observation.

searching gaze

Conveys a sense of actively seeking something while looking.

knowing look

Indicates that the look conveys understanding or awareness.

discerning gaze

Suggests the ability to make fine distinctions while looking.

inquisitive stare

Highlights curiosity and questioning in the look.

evaluative look

Implies an assessment or judgment being made through the look.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "piercing look" in a sentence?

Use "piercing look" to describe a gaze that is intense and penetrating, often conveying strong emotion or insight. For example, "She gave him a piercing look that made him reconsider his words."

What are some alternatives to "piercing look"?

You can use alternatives like "intense gaze", "penetrating stare", or "sharp gaze" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "piercing look" formal or informal language?

"Piercing look" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation. It's commonly used in literature, news, and everyday conversation to describe an intense gaze.

How does a "piercing look" differ from a simple "look"?

A "piercing look" implies intensity, insight, or scrutiny, while a simple "look" is a more general term for directing one's gaze. The adjective "piercing" adds depth and emotional weight to the description.