gazed; gazing; gazes
: to fix the eyes in a steady intent look often with eagerness or studious attention
gazed out the window at the snow
gazer
noun
plural gazers
plural gazes
1
: a fixed intent look
a steady gaze
He fixed his gaze out the window.
She lowered/dropped/raised her gaze.
I met his gaze. [=I looked back at him.]
2
: the collective preferences and expectations of a usually privileged social group especially when imposed as a standard or norm on other groups
In 1973, British feminist film writer Laura Mulvey wrote a seminal essay called "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema", which explored how mainstream films appealed to a male gaze—a term she coined—because the industry was dominated by men who, inevitably, constructed representations of women from a masculine point of view.—
Kerrie O'Brien
Kerrie O'BrienSo few slots are available for nonwhite writers that those who break through are sometimes themselves charged with … exaggerating elements of their culture for a white gaze; living up to the image that white writers have created for them, the easier to be packaged and sold.—Ligaya Mishan
Ligaya MishanIt looks like a gentle scene of a seaside vacation. But this painting by Berthe Morisot, perhaps the most underrated Impressionist, is a layered vision of a dawning modern age and a rare glimpse at the 19th-century female gaze.—Natasha Frost
Natasha FrostExamples of gaze in a Sentence
Verb
He gazed out the window at the snow.
She gazed intently into his eyes.
Noun
She looked at him with a calm, steady gaze.
suddenly aware of her admiring gaze, he became self-conscious and uncomfortable
Recent Examples on the Web
Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Part of the allure of this neighborhood is Humboldt Boulevard — gazing at the old mansions and churches that were once Jewish synagogues.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 July 2025
While that gaze is no longer popular in mainstream literature, many readers have found Tacos’ writing to be refreshingly honest — to others, needlessly offensive.
—John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaze
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Verb
Climb to the top, gaze around in wonder and the eons will dissolve as you are transported into the past.
—Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Part of the allure of this neighborhood is Humboldt Boulevard — gazing at the old mansions and churches that were once Jewish synagogues.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
Noun
As Monday's verdict was read out, Erin didn't drop her gaze from the jury, per The Guardian.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 July 2025
While that gaze is no longer popular in mainstream literature, many readers have found Tacos’ writing to be refreshingly honest — to others, needlessly offensive.
—John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaze
Cite this Entry
“Gaze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaze. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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