staring

[ stair-ing ]

adjective

1. gazing fixedly and intently, especially with the eyes wide open:

   Standing in front of Jane’s staring face, Ravi lifted the conch shell above his head and smashed it into a hundred pieces on the floor.

2. boldly, inescapably, or obnoxiously conspicuous; glaring:

   Whenever I dwell on my own shortcomings, they begin to seem mild and harmless, not at all like the staring defects in other people's characters.

adverb

1. Chiefly British. glaringly or conspicuously; thoroughly (often preceded by stark ):

   This "borrow and spend" policy is stark staring bonkers.

Other Words From

• star·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of staring¹

star(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

One comes to know the fixed stares or the refusal to meet my gaze in the hall and things like that.

From Washington Blade

Her magical ability to shrink people just by staring at them is also put to great use here.

From The Daily Beast

This scene also proves once and for all that the key to acting is just staring at the camera really, really hard.

From The Daily Beast

Above the notes of praise is a small photo of Guerin wearing a polka dot tie and pocket square, staring at you like a sociopath.

From The Daily Beast

We nod our heads towards Pakistan and he is quiet, staring at the floor.

From The Daily Beast

Half of our music and all of our dancing is just about worshipping, praising, staring at and waxing poetic about the human ass.

From The Daily Beast

We stood staring after the fugitives in perfect bewilderment, totally unable to explain their apparently causeless panic.

From Project Gutenberg

And after staring at him a few moments longer she turned her head to look at Grandfather Mole.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw them standing at street corners, watchfully staring lest they should miss the form of joy.

From Project Gutenberg

Tom sat for a long time before the open window in a state of half stupor, staring at the pictures his mind offered automatically.

From Project Gutenberg

She took to staring out across the grounds again, and one hand drew up slowly till it was doubled into a tight-shut little fist.

From Project Gutenberg