unblinking
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnblˈɪŋkɪŋ/
US
- /ʌnblˈɪŋkɪŋ/
Description
- steady gaze
- unwavering
- relentless
- unflinching
- fixed
An unblinking stare is more than just eyes that stay open; it suggests a look that stays fixed and does not soften or turn away. Imagine a guard watching a door, a predator studying its prey, or a camera pointed at a scene without missing a thing. The word often gives a sense of steady, intense attention. It can feel cold, unsettling, or deeply focused. You can also use it for things that seem constant and unsparing, like an unblinking sun beating down all afternoon. Whether it describes a person's gaze, a watchful eye, or a hard look at the truth, the word suggests something steady, direct, and unshaken.
"Unblinking" describes something that does not blink or seem to blink. In the most literal sense, it can refer to eyes that stay open without closing. More often, though, it is used in a figurative way to suggest steady attention, firm resolve, or a gaze that does not turn away. The word often carries a feeling of intensity, calm control, or harsh honesty.
Consider the image of an "unblinking eye," a common symbol of surveillance or constant watchfulness. Here the idea goes beyond actual blinking. It suggests attention that is steady, exact, and impossible to escape. In nature, a landscape might lie under an "unblinking sun," which gives the sense of heat that never lets up.
The word can also suggest bravery or cold honesty. An "unblinking look at the facts" means facing a situation directly, without sugarcoating it or turning away from what is unpleasant. In the same way, "unblinking determination" describes a person who keeps going with a firm and steady purpose, even when things get difficult.
In stories and descriptive writing, an unblinking gaze is often linked to power, control, or danger. A person who looks at someone in an unblinking way may seem calm, threatening, or strongly determined. Whether it describes literal eyes, a force of nature, close observation, or a person's attitude, "unblinking" points to something fixed, steady, and unwilling to look away.
Examples
- 1
Physical description
The guard stood at the door, his eyes unblinking.
- 2
Direct stare
She met his unblinking stare and kept talking.
- 3
Documentary style
The documentary takes an unblinking look at life in the refugee camp.
Pattern
an unblinking look at + difficult subject
a very direct, honest view that does not hide unpleasant facts
- 4
Media scrutiny
Since the scandal broke, the company has been under unblinking media scrutiny.
Phrase
under scrutiny
being examined very closely
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unblinkingadjective