Difference between "stare" and "gaze"

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
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Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #123 [color=blue]“Synonyms for see and watch”, question 7

This man was their only hope and when he let them down they all … at him in alarm.

(a) stared
(b) fancied
(c) observed
(d) viewed

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #123 [color=blue]“Synonyms for see and watch”, answer 7

This man was their only hope and when he let them down they all stared at him in alarm.

Correct answer: (a) stared

Your answer was: [color=green]correct
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

Both “stare” and “gaze” have meanings of looking (at sb/sth) with the eyes wide open in a fixed gaze (Oxford advanced learners dictionary)

I find here that ,“stare” is mainly used for “sb”, but “gaze” is seemingly used for “sth” (scenery)

What is the difference between “stare” and “gaze”.

thanks

FangFang

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Hi FangFang,

Stare has the sense of looking at somebody/something with a fixed look of concentration and not moving your eyelids.

Gaze is also looking at but has the suggestion that the person doing the look has feelings of wonder/worship/admiration.

Alan

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hi Alan, i don’t understand the sentence clearly with the phrase" stared at him in alarm", plz explain more 4 me! thanks a lot
An