look 1 of 2

look

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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
4

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
Mahomes also spoke about the Chiefs’ win, which was by far the best Kansas City has looked this season and marked the first time since 2023 that Mahomes threw four touchdowns in a game. Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025 Jenner completed the lacy look with a brown furry semi-sheer lace jacket with hints of green and red and pointed white Valentino Garavani heels with a rosette at the ankle. Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
To fully grasp the spirit of the line, the designers also tapped Pierpaolo Ferrari — who cofounded Toilet Paper with artist Maurizio Cattelan — to photograph the look book images. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025 To take a long, careful look at his tootsies on that perfect rainbow to Sutton. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for look
Recent Examples of Synonyms for look
Verb
  • A day after clinching the division title, the Dodgers did not take batting practice on the field but Muncy took ground balls at third base for quite awhile and seemed to be moving freely.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • One lesson the Pioneers seemed to have down pat Friday was how to convert on a short field.
    Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vučić has also backtracked, expressing support for long-time Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik – who has been barred from office by the country’s constitutional court, but defies that ruling.
    Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
  • But while Lamar has mostly used his art to express his sentiments, Bad Bunny has been more overt about his dissatisfaction with the current administration.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nickelodeon features an annual SpongeBob altcast, complete with animations intended to appeal to young children or families watching together.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • These characteristics are crucial for a power source intended to provide reliable, on-demand electricity at a competitive price.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Lessons will include crafting song lyrics, gaining confidence in artistic expression and pairing songwriters with students in a mentorship program.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Breton aimed to access the unconscious through dream and automatism, a surrealist technique of creating art without conscious control, allowing spontaneous expression from the subconscious mind, free from rational thought or aesthetic rules.
    Sally Jane Brown, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At first glance, the difference between a cruise ship and a yacht seems obvious.
    Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Just a glance but a deliberate one.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Stewart made three appearances on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City last week and joined the Dodgers in Arizona for the series against the Diamondbacks.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Slaten entered Friday having pitched in the seventh inning or later in 32 of his 35 appearances this season.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The beauty calendar is marked by several tentpoles.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The film explores the beauty and burdens of being an eldest daughter and constructs an escapist world where Black girls get to simply be kids.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Professional ambitions feel at odds with relationship needs.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • So when McCoy jumped a route and intercepted a pass from Appalachian State quarterback AJ Swann on Saturday night, seeing nothing but 26 yards of open blue turf and the orange end zone ahead of him, the ensuing pick-six felt like a pressurized balloon was burst.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Look.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/look. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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