look 1 of 2

verb

ˈlu̇k How to pronounce look (audio)
Definition of looknext
1
as in to seem
to give the impression of being it looks like it might rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to express
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) the music teacher looked her displeasure with a fierce frown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal they were looking to make a fast buck

Synonyms & Similar Words

look

2 of 2

noun

1
as in expression
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling you should have seen the look on your face when we yelled "Surprise!"

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in glance
an instance of looking especially briefly she gave the junk mail a quick look before throwing it in the wastebasket

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in appearance
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality the bride's father has the look of a prosperous businessman

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in beauty
looks plural the qualities in a person or thing that as a whole give pleasure to the senses a supermodel's career tends to be entirely based on her exceptional good looks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb look contrast with its synonyms?

The words expect and hope are common synonyms of look. While all three words mean "to await some occurrence or outcome," look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness.

looks to a tidy profit from the sale
look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast

When might expect be a better fit than look?

The meanings of expect and look largely overlap; however, expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning.

expects to be finished by Tuesday

When is it sensible to use hope instead of look?

While the synonyms hope and look are close in meaning, hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen.

hopes to find a job soon

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of look
Verb
President Donald Trump's continued criticism of Germany’s failure to pay its defense bills looks to have pushed one of Europe's wealthiest nations into action. —Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025 When the last of his players finished talking and left the interview area, Reiser looked both ways and then pulled out his iPhone, with a Mass card attached to the back, and let his story out in whispers. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
Here’s a look at 23andMe’s rise and fall in four charts. —Rosa De Acosta, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025 Take a close look at what current and former employees say about the company’s culture, work-life balance, leadership, and team dynamics. —Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for look
Recent Examples of Synonyms for look
  1. seem
  2. express
  3. intend
  4. expression
  5. glance
  6. appearance
  7. beauty
  8. feel
Verb
  • The bulk of any 'savings' seems to come from cutting approximately 300,000 W-2 government employees.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • So people don’t ever seem too amped up around here.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of seem
Verb
  • One such problem is a too-common vocal style that is expressed in guttural growls, making lyrics difficult to decipher — at least for me.
    — Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Internal Anger Anger is an unpleasant emotion that is often considered not socially acceptable to express.
    — Wendy Wisner, Health, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of express
Verb
  • And, President Trump intends to scale back monies for state and local governments while pushing more costs on states and cities.
    — Eric J. Gertler, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
  • While the Senate spending cuts are set at just around $4 billion, the House intends to cut at least $1.5 trillion.
    — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of intend
Noun
  • While they’ll never be highly valued, these cars are an exquisite expression of Pininfarina design flair at its very best.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Tech billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg enshrined the zip-up as a power move, styling it with Adidas slides and an expression of monotony.
    — Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of expression
Noun
  • At first glance, offering free concessions might seem like a costly gamble for a non-Power Four athletic department generating around $45 million annually.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Bit Bonds operate much like standard Treasuries at first glance.
    — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of glance
Noun
  • Behavior Incentivized By The Folly Broadly put, the problematic feature of our political system is it has been designed to encourage leaders to think short-term and to focus on appearance over results.
    — Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • This earth sign doesn't care for showy appearances but still wants to revel in their successes, which is why quiet luxury fits best.
    — Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of appearance
Noun
  • Sullivan personally tested each item on this list of the best Lancôme beauty products.
    — Claire Sullivan, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That versatility is, in a lot of ways, the true beauty of unicorns.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of beauty
Verb
  • Many individuals feel too stressed or busy will avoid treating themselves, according to a study by Cornell SC Johnson College of Business published in the Journal of Consumer Research.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Understanding the difference can feel like a bit of a chemistry lesson.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of feel

Phrases Containing look

Browse Nearby Words

looby
look
look after
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Look.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/look. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on look

Nglish: Translation of look for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All