riveting gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "riveting gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's captivating or intensely focused look, often in a context related to attraction or deep interest. Example: "As she spoke about her passion for art, her riveting gaze held the audience's attention completely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I.S. 187's decision to add math classes benefits children like Brittany Boccio, a diminutive girl with glasses and a riveting gaze, who was scared of math until she started attending double sessions last year.

The New York Times

Her green, prominent eyes, flecked with brown, had a riveting gaze and widened shyly with excitement, and her voice, always husky, got breathless when she spoke of her culture heroes and heroines, some of whom were dead and some of whom were right there in our school.

The New Yorker

He explains to her that a successful pocket-picking depends on keeping the victim's attention away from the vulnerable point, by means of the gift of gab, an amiable gesture, and the beam of a riveting gaze: "You get that focus, you take whatever you want".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Stewart's battle scenes are also riveting, his gaze fixed admiringly on Rescorla.

The New York Times - Books

"This city," he once wrote, "eternally rivets the gaze of the entire world".

The New York Times - Travel

Cliff beholds the landscape in the reverent tradition of Emerson and Thoreau; Mary­belle rivets her gaze to her cellphone in search of a signal, then orders Cliff off the road wherever she finds one so she can blab for hours.

The New York Times - Books

But then things are bound to get wild whenever we permit Colonel Muammar Qaddafi to occupy to center of our attention-when we rivet our gaze on him, pore over his unpredictable and contradictory utterances, and organize our foreign policy around the question of what to do about him.

The New Yorker

Throughout the film your gaze is riveted to Ms. Farmiga's stricken eyes.

The New York Times

Though visitors are supposed to identify with the virtuous, my gaze was riveted on the tormented tumble of the demons and the damned.

The New York Times - Travel

When your gaze is riveted to the podium hoping to hear words that will allow you to connect with their joy in an authentic, intimate way.

Huffington Post

Sarah Van Patten – for me the outstanding dancer of this Paris season – is simply riveting, her body weightlessly fluid but her gaze fixed outwards on some world that only she can see.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "riveting gaze" to describe a look that holds someone's attention completely, often due to its intensity or captivating quality. For example: "Her "riveting gaze" made him feel like he was the only person in the room."

Common error

Avoid using "riveting gaze" in overly casual or informal situations, as it can sound melodramatic. It's best suited for descriptions where a strong, captivating visual impression is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "riveting gaze" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "riveting" modifies the noun "gaze". It describes the quality of the gaze, suggesting it is captivating and intensely focused. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "riveting gaze" is a descriptive term used to portray a captivating and intensely focused look. Grammatically correct and usable, as Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While its frequency is rare, its impact is significant, effectively conveying a sense of deep engagement or compelling interest. Alternatives include "captivating stare" and "mesmerizing look", offering similar nuances. Use it judiciously to avoid sounding melodramatic, and reserve it for situations where a strong visual impression is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

captivating stare

Replaces "riveting" with "captivating", focusing on the entrancing quality of the gaze.

mesmerizing look

Substitutes both words to emphasize the hypnotic effect of the gaze.

intense stare

Highlights the intensity of the look, rather than its captivating nature.

piercing gaze

Emphasizes the penetrating quality of the gaze.

fixed stare

Focuses on the unwavering nature of the gaze.

compelling look

Highlights the irresistible nature of the gaze.

arresting glance

Suggests a gaze that immediately captures attention.

magnetic gaze

Implies the gaze has a powerful attracting force.

powerful stare

Focuses on the impactful nature of the look, rather than its captivating nature.

penetrating look

Highlights the intrusive quality of the gaze.

FAQs

How can I use "riveting gaze" in a sentence?

Use "riveting gaze" to describe a look that is intensely captivating and holds someone's attention. For example, "The speaker's "riveting gaze" kept the audience completely focused".

What's a similar phrase to "riveting gaze"?

Alternatives to "riveting gaze" include "captivating stare", "mesmerizing look", or "intense stare", which convey similar meanings of a compelling and focused look.

Is "riveting gaze" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "riveting gaze" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a deeply engaging or intensely focused look, especially in narratives or character descriptions.

Can "riveting" be used with other nouns besides "gaze"?

Yes, "riveting" can be used with other nouns to describe something highly engaging or captivating, such as a "riveting performance" or a "riveting story".