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
Chinese construction companies are looking to the Middle East in the wake of a domestic property slowdown, but are running into roadblocks in the unfamiliar market. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025 Cole, who founded Iconix and was its chief executive officer until the allegations arose, is looking for $25 million from Iconix for breach of contract, bad faith and unjust enrichment as well as $20 million from Horowitz for malicious prosecution. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
Angel Reese shows us that a black sequin mini can never go wrong, finishing the look with a dramatic cape moment. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Nov. 2025 Valletta paired the look with gold high heels and statement earrings, opting for natural-toned makeup and wearing her short blonde hair in a deep side part. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 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
  • Soika, a surgeon, unsuccessfully tried to book a rental car to get to Utah for a weekend trip before settling on an option that seemed straight out of Hollywood.
    — JOSH FUNK, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2025
  • McCutcheon, who scored four goals in the regular season, seems to shift into a second gear during the playoffs, having now scored three times in four postseason games.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of seem
Verb
  • Other Party bigwigs expressed disappointment, too, from the progressives Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to the milquetoast Democratic National Committee leader Ken Martin.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
  • But a source familiar with the matter said that Isaacman has expressed an intention to partner with whichever company most quickly produces an astronaut-worthy lunar lander.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of express
Verb
  • That’s a significant contrast to other parts of the Forbidden City, marked by wide open spaces intended to represent the grandeur of imperial power and territory.
    — Fred He, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The country is now poised to start up a new EV incentive program that goes into effect in January 2026, and is intended to help lower- and middle-income buyers adopt zero tailpipe emission vehicles.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of intend
Noun
  • Davis also challenged that judgment, citing the First Amendment protections for religious expression.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
  • About presidential clemency power A pardon is an expression of forgiveness that eases the consequences of a criminal conviction, according to the DOJ.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of expression
Noun
  • Preparing for Thanksgiving means adhering to a schedule that seems deceivingly simple at first glance, but instead can harbor sneaky disasters at every turn.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Taltos First introduced in 1990's The Witching Hour and given prime focus in Taltos four years later, the taltos are a species that, on first glance, look human, but are usually taller, thinner, and have bones mostly made of cartilage.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
Definition of glance
Noun
  • First-team appearances came in the National League Cup ties against the under-21 side of Leeds United from the Premier League and second-division Middlesbrough, and dual-registration rules allowed Gjoshe to link up with Bottesford last month.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The Roberts court, unusually obsessed with the Supreme Court’s public reputation and appearance of political interference, might consider such a ruling a way to balance limiting executive power without tanking the broader economy.
    — Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of appearance
Noun
  • The poem is littered with gut punches that would destroy me as a parent; Lee sees the poem’s beauty and appears to feel appropriate shame.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • This picturesque lakeside destination is increasingly attracting affluent foreign buyers, drawn by the stunning natural beauty and newly relaxed Golden Visa program.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of beauty
Verb
  • And among the less conversationally direct, the topic often seems to lurk on the fringes as locals in other countries try to more delicately approach politics and discern how US travelers feel about what’s going on at home.
    — Terry Ward, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Specific details of conversations remain unclear, but the meeting suggests that Comcast feels that there is still a path forward for a deal, in spite of concerns — aired in the press — about the likelihood of regulatory troubles in the US.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
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 12 Nov. 2025.

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