averting gaze
Avoiding eye contact
Averting gaze is the act of deliberately looking away from someone or something, typically to avoid eye contact or an uncomfortable sight.
The phrase implies intention—you don't accidentally avert your gaze.
It can signal discomfort, shame, submission, or respect depending on context: She averted her gaze when he caught her staring.
In some cultures, averting gaze shows deference to authority.
- looking awayDirecting eyes elsewhere
- shyReserved and retiring
- embarrassedSelf-consciously uncomfortable
- avoidingDeliberately staying clear
- downcastSad or despondent
glance · sidelong · bashful · social anxiety · uncomfortable · evasion · flinch · shame · submission · coy · demure · floor · deflecting · turned away · timid · guilt · nervous · withdrawn
- Eye Reactionsblinking, squinting, wincing, eye widening, pupil dilation
- defensive gesturesflinching, cowering, cringing, ducking, recoiling
- modestyhijab, head covering, head coverings, niqab, burqa
- deferencedeference, bow, curtsy, genuflect, kneeling
- submission gestureskowtow, genuflection, genuflect, genuflecting, prostration
averting gazestaring
Gazing without break
locking eyes · holding gaze · staring down · glaring · ogling
averting gazerapt attention
avert, averts, averted, aversion, aversions, aversive, gaze, gazes, gazed