look 1 of 2

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
As the final track of the movie, it’s paired with live-action footage of the cast and musical artists during recording sessions, offering a celebratory behind-the-scenes look at the film’s creation. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 14 July 2025 And who better to look to for inspiration than Martha Stewart? Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Noun
Below are first look images of Mitchell and Lil Mama in the film. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2025 They’re made with a soft cotton material that’ll keep you cozy during long flights, while providing an elevated look. Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for look
Recent Examples of Synonyms for look
Verb
  • The sky turned hazy, health officials urged residents to stay inside, and what once seemed like gradual progress toward cleaner air suddenly felt alarmingly fragile.
    Youssef Rafik, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
  • But compared to the heights of the Ezell raids, these numbers seem small by comparison.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Though the director has publicly expressed his desire to retire the character — even revealing plans to kill her off in a 2018 interview on Bevy Smith’s SiriusXM show Bevelations — fan support has kept her alive.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • John McEnroe, never shy with an opinion, has expressed skepticism about pickleball — yet even his tennis academy on Randall’s Island in New York City has converted five existing tennis courts to 12 indoor pickleball courts.
    Stefan Boyland, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • According to Renaissance Capital, cornerstone investors intend to purchase 20% of the shares in the offering.
    Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
  • In other words, a buyer who never intends to close escrow, but intends to assign the purchase contract in escrow to another buyer for a higher price.
    Christopher A. Combs, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • There was an expression on his face, something between a smile and a smirk.
    Mona Awad, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
  • Through gene expression studies, the team determined these proteins were actively produced and regulated – social control molecules secreted through their natural antennae, the spines.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • At first glance, some features of Florida’s charter schools appear more private than public.
    Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025
  • The Cost-Saving Promise Of The Cloud At first glance, the cloud seems like a no-brainer for cost efficiency.
    Melkon Hovhannisyan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Between her performance, an aerialist’s acrobatics, and courtside appearances from stars like Leslie Jones, Dawn Staley, Bam Adebayo, and Robin Roberts, All-Star Weekend doubled as a celebration of sports and entertainment.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 21 July 2025
  • In an appearance on the Paramount+ series The Checkup with Dr. David Agus, Ashton revealed a terrifying and emotional moment when the brothers were kids.
    Grace Gavilanes, People.com, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • Since welcoming their children, both the rapper and the beauty mogul have been vocal about the positive impact parenthood has had on their lives.
    Clare Fisher, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Condado Vanderbilt has ruled over the sands of Condado for more than a century, embodying all the elegance and beauty of a property that once welcomed the likes of the John F. Kennedy and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
    Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Our tasters wanted tight pinprick bubbles that felt effervescent and refreshing, not loose and moussey.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • The Panthers are banking on a repeat performance, even if Jackson feels like a potential regression candidate.
    Mike Kaye July 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Look.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/look. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on look

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!