Definition of looknext

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
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
Some of the looks are from the past, and looks that she’s reinvented. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 But if the other two deals look more enticing, don't worry—this deal stacks with both the Simplicity Plan and myPlan promotions above. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
Dark gloss is Darko‘s fitting look, and this potent story sheen is perfectly conveyed by cinematographer Alexander Hammond. — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 With a little prompting, Glance can help shoppers watching a smart TV identify looks being worn by actors and go find options to buy. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for look
Recent Examples of Synonyms for look
Verb
  • What’s more, dopamine pathways that were traditionally thought to govern pleasure and punishment also seem to be highly involved in prediction.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • And there was a photographer who seemed to be taking an endless number of pictures.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Gyurov has often expressed firm support for Ukraine and signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv during his premiership.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • For weeks, head coach Andy Reid has expressed confidence in Butker.
    — Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These changes were intended to support the long-distance challenge, which required multiple crossings rather than a single uninterrupted run in one direction.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The throw was intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba but Williams made the interception.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Current facial recognition systems, originally developed for photographs, can compare faces despite differences in pose, lighting, expression, age, and image quality.
    — Karen Chernick, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Elaborate veils and rigid dress codes gradually gave way to more personal expressions of grief, while black dresses and tailoring became enduring wardrobe staples.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At first glance, people weren’t sure if the photos were of West or Kardashian.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • At first glance, their already tight kinship, and all their many overlapping businesses, suggest that a new SpaceX-Tesla makes sense.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • After the fracking boom, some pipeline developers raced for market share and cut corners on siting, restoration and appearance.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Counterfeit devices can copy familiar names and appearances while using entirely different hardware.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • You would have been treated like gods and lived forever in beauty.
    — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The idea that beauty comes from within never entered the discussion.
    — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These sounds are strange bedfellows, but the delirium rarely feels indulgent or trivial.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Kurt's key takeaways What concerns me about this particular scam is how routine the email feels.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Look.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/look. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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