piercing stare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "piercing stare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gaze that is intense, penetrating, or deeply scrutinizing, often conveying strong emotions or intentions. Example: "She met his piercing stare, feeling as though he could see right through her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Agassi — a 41-year-old Israeli-American with a piercing stare — beamed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her now vacant, now piercing stare gives her a look that writers often describe as "regal".

The New York Times - Arts

His wife shot him a piercing stare: "I thought you were an Obama fan?

The New York Times

All the while, I looked for Lost Cat posters featuring Mittens's piercing stare and fluffy black face.

The New Yorker

The rhythmic, driving speech pattern, the mostly half-closed eyes, that piercing stare, the body language – exactly the same.

The Guardian

With his close-cropped hair, piercing stare and blunt features Mr. Calderón, from a distance, has the appearance of a street tough.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Finally, he interrupted the conversation, gave us one of his piercing stares, and asked us if there was somewhere more important that we needed to be.

Huffington Post

6) Telepathy/Telekinesis Judging by the amount of people trying to communicate with the bartender though a series of grunts and piercing stares towards the end of the night the ability to communicate on a purely mental level seems to be fairly common.

Huffington Post

She's the one, for example, who's getting told by a plastic surgeon that her eyes are "crashing down into your nose"; she's the one who has to endure the piercing stares of snooty saleswomen; and she's the one who's saying: "By Jove, I don't care: I want it".Her celebratory consumption acts as a kind of benediction on the reader's own guilty acquisitive urges.

The Economist

If you know someone who can't get enough of Paul Hollywood and his piercing blue stare, they'll love the first season of "Paul Hollywood City Bakes," which features their favorite silver fox traveling the world to pass judgement on local baking heritage.

HuffPost

In his mid-twenties and with a piercing blue-eyed stare, Darius exudes confidence and enthusiasm, qualities that will charm clients, but are ineffectual faced with a 50-year-old Macedonian snowcat driver.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piercing stare" to vividly describe a character's intense or scrutinizing look, adding depth and impact to your writing. This phrase is particularly effective when portraying characters who are assertive, observant, or intimidating.

Common error

Avoid using "piercing stare" as a lazy substitute for developing a character's personality or intentions. Show, don't tell. Instead of simply stating that a character has a "piercing stare", illustrate the effects of their gaze on others or the context in which they use it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piercing stare" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "piercing" to modify the noun "stare", creating a vivid image of an intense and penetrating gaze. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piercing stare" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that vividly describes an intense and penetrating gaze. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, to convey a sense of scrutiny, intimidation, or deep focus. When writing, wield it to enrich your character descriptions. Steer clear of over-reliance on it, and consider similar expressions like "intense gaze" or "penetrating gaze" for more nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense gaze

Focuses on the intensity of the look, omitting the connotation of sharpness.

penetrating gaze

Highlights the ability of the stare to see beyond the surface.

drilling gaze

Emphasizes the invasive nature of the stare.

searching gaze

Suggests that the person is looking for something specific.

scrutinizing gaze

Implies a careful and critical observation.

fixed stare

Highlights the unwavering nature of the look.

unblinking stare

Emphasizes the lack of normal eye movement, adding intensity.

intimidating gaze

Focuses on the effect the stare has on the person receiving it.

hypnotic gaze

Suggests the stare has a captivating or mesmerizing effect.

sharp gaze

Emphasizes the pointed or keen nature of the look.

FAQs

How can I describe a stare that is not necessarily "piercing" but still intense?

You can use phrases like "intense gaze", "fixed stare", or "penetrating gaze" to convey different aspects of an intense look without the aggressive connotation of "piercing".

What kind of emotion does a "piercing stare" usually convey?

A "piercing stare" often conveys emotions such as anger, suspicion, determination, or intense focus. The specific emotion depends on the context and the character's overall demeanor.

Is "piercing gaze" interchangeable with "piercing stare"?

Yes, "piercing gaze" is largely interchangeable with "piercing stare". Both phrases describe an intense and penetrating look. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "piercing stare"?

It might be inappropriate to use "piercing stare" when describing someone who is simply thoughtful or contemplative, as the phrase implies a level of intensity and potential aggression. In those cases, consider alternatives like "thoughtful gaze" or "introspective look".