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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
Even as medicine has become less fatalistic about brain injury, hospitals still rarely look for covert awareness using fMRI. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025 Gerard looked comfortable playing before a home crowd. Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025 As the subtitle indicates, Baker’s book is a critical look at how this idea of entrepreneurialism has been used as a tool to alternatively discipline or distract workers from the ever-increasing concentration of wealth. John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for look
Recent Examples of Synonyms for look
Verb
  • By Sunday, that loss seemed a distant memory, though, and for good reason.
    Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
  • That could be the cherry on top of the sundae for the Oilers, who seem to have the Stars figured out in almost every way.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • During arguments before the Supreme Court, several of the justices expressed concerns about the use of nationwide injunctions, but John Sauer, President Donald Trump’s solicitor general, faced pushback this week about whether limiting injunctions was appropriate in this case.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • According to Packer, several high-profile alumni including rapper Common, singer K. Michelle and comedian Roy Wood, Jr. had expressed opposition as well.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • That arrangement was always intended to be temporary, but for nearly two decades, the details of untangling such massive, important institutions have bedeviled three presidential administrations – including Trump’s first.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • The move is expected to impact millions of borrowers who haven’t paid their loans for approximately nine months, and the Trump administration intends to garnish a portion of workers’ wages if their loans remain unpaid.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • The use of dance and movement, costuming and even facial expressions during the performance can be as effective, even more so, than words that convey the weight of these gender expectations.
    David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • Participants will discover the creative possibilities of technology in narrative creation, including the application of Afrofuturism to enhance representation and expression.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Skip the generic logo display and create visual content that signals your expertise and offerings at first glance.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • At first glance, the Al-Khalil Quran Complex looks like any other school.
    Hasan Ali, Christian Science Monitor, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Jace Jung had just a .364 OPS in 52 plate appearances before he was sent down.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • At the start of the weekly event, the Holy Father crisscrossed the cobblestone square in the iconic popemobile, a white Mercedes-Benz specially constructed so the pontiff can be visible for public appearances while still protected.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • After stepping back from the spotlight, Gary Sinise is letting fans in on his family's private battle with cancer − and finding beauty after tragedy.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Also in the first quarter, Burry doubled his stake in beauty retailer Estée Lauder to a bet worth $13.2 million.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The flashy sequences of violence feel apt for TV (Netflix, along with Steven Spielberg’s production outfit and the Obamas’ media company, is working on a series), but the novel’s real draw is the quieter ache of a family torn apart.
    The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
  • If you’re retired, those market swings can feel even more personal.
    Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Look.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/look. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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