Lifeless-eyed

Describing a person whose eyes lack vitality, sparkle, or emotional expression. This can indicate a state of exhaustion, apathy, emotional numbness, or even a detached observation of the world. The eyes, often described as dull, vacant, or glazed over, fail to convey the usual range of human emotions, such as joy, sadness, or anger. The appearance suggests an inner emptiness or a disconnect from their surroundings, potentially hinting at underlying mental or physical health issues, fatigue, or trauma. The lack of animation gives an impression of vulnerability, coldness, or a general absence of spirit.

Lifeless-eyed meaning with examples

• The exhausted traveler, after days of relentless marching, met the villagers with lifeless-eyed indifference, his gaze fixed on a distant point. He barely acknowledged their greetings, his face devoid of any expression save for the fatigue etched into every line. The long journey, filled with hardship, had drained the very life from his eyes.
• After the tragic accident, the young woman’s world shifted into a blur. She moved through her days with lifeless-eyed detachment, her grief too overwhelming to process. Friends and family tried to reach her, but she seemed locked within her sorrow, unable to engage with the world outside, her eyes mirroring a profound sense of loss.
• The hostage, held captive for weeks, presented a chilling picture: a gaunt face and lifeless-eyed stare. The captors' psychological manipulation had clearly taken a toll. Even when released, it was clear from her eyes that it would be a long road before she could shed the trauma and be able to truly feel again. She appeared to be disconnected from reality.
• The detective, hardened by years on the force, observed the suspect’s interrogation with the practiced gaze of a veteran. The suspect, cornered and cornered and desperate, met his gaze with a lifeless-eyed challenge. The detective saw through the facade, knowing the suspect had a history of deception and that the eyes were often windows into the truth, even when they feigned ignorance.