Definition of outlooknext
1
as in overlook
a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible the cliff-top outlook provides an expansive view of the sleepy village down in the valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
as in view
all that can be seen from a certain point the outlook from the tower is spectacular in all directions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun outlook differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of outlook are anticipation, foretaste, and prospect. While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

Where would anticipation be a reasonable alternative to outlook?

The synonyms anticipation and outlook are sometimes interchangeable, but anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

When is foretaste a more appropriate choice than outlook?

In some situations, the words foretaste and outlook are roughly equivalent. However, foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

When could prospect be used to replace outlook?

While in some cases nearly identical to outlook, prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

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 outlook Klein wrote his upgrade reflects his generally positive 2026 outlook for the sector. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026 The budget forecast, similar to that of independent analysts, offers a better outlook than the governor’s May revision. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026 The rate is designed to signal the Fed’s outlook on inflation and economic health, but internal tensions, leadership uncertainty and political pressures could cloud its purpose and direction. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026 What’s the supply chain risk outlook for 2026? Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlook
Noun
  • Part of Kansas City’s Park and Boulevard System for more than a century, Cliff Drive was designated a Missouri Scenic Byway in 2000, a title reflected in its limestone bluffs, wooded overlooks and views of the river valley below.
    Monty Davis, Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026
  • Orbit is another highlight, circling the subject to capture a full 360-degree view—perfect for summit shots or scenic overlooks.
    Graham Averill, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Their experiences span city, county, and campus policing, offering contrasting perspectives on how to lead the Sheriff’s Office through a period of change.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Expect a few misunderstandings, but also second chances to speak honestly and listen with a fresh perspective.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Kyle's Instagram post had more than 400,000 views last week.
    Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The video went viral, amassing over 2 million views.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • And this is how modern gravitational wave observatories — like the LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA detectors — actually successfully detect these gravitational waves.
    Big Think, Big Think, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The observatory is conducting a ten-year-long survey of the southern sky, dubbed the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which has as one of its principal goals improving our understanding of the nature of both dark energy and dark matter.
    Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The video is enacting the viewpoint of the city itself on October 4th, the night that Ebba and Zema, dressed in dark, anonymizing colors, hoisted their small bodies onto the roof of a subway car, where they were later found, lifeless, at the Marcy Avenue station.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The Constitution doesn’t let government officials pick which viewpoints are acceptable.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Monroe County deputies kept a lookout for the vehicle and realized the driver had changed direction.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Drug couriers and lookouts, for example, are now eligible for shorter sentences.
    Kevin Krause, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There’s also an observation tower in the Shark Valley area with a viewing deck that overlooks alligators, turtles, fish, and birds.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Why does Victor burn down the tower?
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlook. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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