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

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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
If your cart is looking a bit neglected, consider this your official excuse to treat yourself. — Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 8 July 2026 Many anecdotes are from people who tried more conventional medicine for digestive issues and, from a place of desperation, decided to look elsewhere for solutions. — Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Noun
High-rise handlebars, upright ergonomics, and generous suspension travel give them the look of pit bikes that somehow escaped onto public roads. — New Atlas, 6 July 2026 Recreating the look is easy at Quince, where smart trousers and shirts are available in similar colors and materials that channel the same laid-back aesthetic. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 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
  • Like couture clients, affluent jewelry consumers seem to be resilient to economic uncertainty.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • Instead of lamenting that starting pitcher Reid Detmers had a bad game and the offense did nothing, which seemed to be the story for the first six innings, the Angels came to life with five runs in the seventh.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
Definition of seem
Verb
  • Several organizations of institutional investors and auditing professionals, as well as a tsunami of individual investors, expressed opposition.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Some former candidates in this year's primary contests for governor, the Senate and the House have already expressed interest in replacing Platner on the ballot.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of express
Verb
  • The end of Temporary Protected Status — a program intended to protect people in the event of a natural disaster — heightened concerns about deportation to a country that is reeling after twin earthquakes from June 24.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • If Washington intends to withdraw forces, assets or capabilities, allies need a roadmap and a timeline.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of intend
Noun
  • The intuitive Moon moves through your 8th House of Intimacy, squaring powerful Pluto in your 5th House of Creativity, so deeper feelings may meet a desire for expression, romance, or play.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • Código 1530, however, decided to age its new expression for a full 15 years before giving it a relatively brief finish, making this one of the oldest (and most expensive) tequilas currently on the market.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 July 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • Stunt designed to showcase agility, not AI rebellion Despite alarming many viewers at first glance, the viral video does not show a humanoid robot experiencing a software failure or acting independently.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • Each year when Wimbledon rolls around, tennis fans crane their necks and watch their TV screens with undivided attention for a glance at the Royal Box, anxiously awaiting if Kate Middleton will be in attendance.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Definition of glance
Noun
  • Swift and Kelce’s big day comes after months of speculation and back-to-back public appearances.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • Questions remain over whether the funeral will mark the first public appearance of Mojtaba Khamenei since his father and family members were killed on the first day of the war.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of appearance
Noun
  • People are shopping for clothing and beauty products at a Zudio store in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, on April 4, 2024.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • First was an anti-aging and beauty-focused treatment that combined 20 minutes in a relaxingly warm red light bed with a Japanese Microbiome and Fermented Enzyme Facial.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of beauty
Verb
  • Either way, for a community facing such deep loss, the space felt to Dondi like a warm blanket.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • On one wall, Garcia has some of his hats on display, beautifully constructed in beaver felt.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of feel

Phrases Containing look

Browse Nearby Words

looby
look
look after
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Cite this Entry

“Look.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/look. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of look for Spanish Speakers

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