stare

To look at someone or something for a long time without looking away.

• Please do not stare at me.
• She stared at the empty chair.
• Why are you staring out of the window?

How to use it: stare at someone/something (He stared at the strange picture.); stare into something (She stared into the darkness.)

Similar words: gaze

Common phrases: stare at someone, stare into space, stare out, stare at something

To make someone behave differently by looking at them steadily and strongly.

• She stared him down.
• He stared the noisy boys into silence.
• Neither player could stare the other down.

How to use it: stare someone down (The guard stared the visitor down.); stare someone into something (She stared him into silence.)

Similar words: outstare

Common phrases: stare someone down, stare someone into silence

A long, steady look at someone or something.

• He gave me a cold stare.
• Her stare made me uncomfortable.
• We received curious stares from the other passengers.

Similar words: gaze

Common phrases: a cold stare, a blank stare, give someone a stare