suspicious gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

"suspicious gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a suspicious look someone gives, usually when they are questioning the truth of something or harshly scrutinizing someone. Example: "I couldn't help but feel a chill when I saw his suspicious gaze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The manager, Mohammed Aminy, is a short, taciturn man with a bushy mustache and a suspicious gaze.

The New York Times

Antoine can hardly stand to be in the presence of a father who conveys contempt and disappointment in every suspicious gaze.

The New York Times

That is why English hikers can find themselves wandering through a cornfield, or facing the suspicious gaze of a sheep; activities that in America might attract the attention of an angry landowner with a shotgun.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The violence, he said, has damaged not only Pakistan, but also the reputation of Muslims, who he said "are seen with suspicious gazes everywhere in the world".

The New York Times

It isn't enough to assert that members of this cohort face the prospect of suspicious gazes or unprompted questioning from police officers, or worse; each of us knows or will know this particular sensation in the pit of his stomach, this tightening in his throat, and this burning helplessness.

The New Yorker

We have grown accustomed to derisive comments and suspicious gazes.

Los Angeles Times

After the attacks of 9-11, MuSikhs, Sikhs, and those of Arab descent generally were subjected to increasingly suspicious gazes at airports, schools, and in other public spaces.

Huffington Post

"Vic," who resembles Charlton Heston, has a disproportionately small head on his bulky, business-suited body, and he stares back at viewers with a suspicious, appraising gaze.

The New York Times - Arts

Her gaze seemed suspicious and accusatory.

Vice

My friends and I cannot walk the streets of certain suburbs without receiving subtle gazes from suspicious onlookers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most looked on with a starry eyed gaze, a few with suspicious glares.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suspicious gaze" when you want to convey a sense of distrust or doubt in someone's look. It's effective for describing a character's reaction in literature or a person's expression in real-life scenarios.

Common error

While "suspicious gaze" is effective, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your descriptions of expressions with alternatives like "wary look" or "skeptical stare" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspicious gaze" functions as a noun phrase, where "suspicious" is an adjective modifying the noun "gaze". It describes a particular type of look or expression, conveying doubt or distrust. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suspicious gaze" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe a look characterized by doubt or distrust. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While "suspicious gaze" appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. Alternatives like "wary look" or "skeptical stare" can enrich your vocabulary, but remember that each carries subtle nuances. Overall, "suspicious gaze" is a valuable tool for conveying skepticism or uncertainty in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distrustful glance

This option emphasizes the lack of trust in the look, making it a strong alternative that is directly associated with QUERY.

skeptical stare

This phrase highlights doubt and disbelief in the expression, focusing on the questioning nature.

scrutinizing look

This alternative emphasizes the close and careful examination implied in the gaze, highlighting the intent to find flaws or inconsistencies.

wary look

This alternative suggests a cautious observation, implying a level of distrust but less direct than "suspicious gaze".

doubtful look

This option focuses on the uncertainty and hesitation conveyed through the expression, differing slightly in nuance.

disbelieving stare

This alternative shows a firmer disbelief, suggesting incredulity towards something seen or heard.

questioning gaze

This phrase emphasizes the inquisitiveness behind the look, indicating a desire for more information or clarification.

cautious observation

This highlights the care and vigilance in watching, suggesting a level of distrust but with more focus on alertness.

untrusting eyes

This alternative focuses on the lack of trust shown through the eyes, suggesting innate skepticism.

dubious expression

This is a general term for expressing doubt, which means the subject has some uncertainty to a claim, fact or event.

FAQs

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

You can use "suspicious gaze" to describe someone's look when they doubt something or someone. For instance, "The detective gave the suspect a "suspicious gaze" during the interrogation."

What's the difference between "suspicious gaze" and "skeptical stare"?

"Suspicious gaze" generally implies a questioning or distrustful look, while "skeptical stare" suggests more pronounced doubt or disbelief. The former might precede the latter as suspicion grows.

What are some synonyms for "suspicious gaze"?

Alternatives include "wary look", "distrustful glance", or "doubtful look", which can add variety to your writing while conveying a similar meaning.

Is "suspicious gaze" formal or informal?

"Suspicious gaze" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding language and situation than the phrase itself.