Thesaurus results for OUTLOOK

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

outlook

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌlu̇k

Definition of outlook

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

Relevance

as in perspective

a way of looking at or thinking about something tried to keep a cheerful outlook on life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 China also faces a worse demographic outlook than Japan did and lacks the institutional infrastructure that enabled Tokyo to gradually recover. — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026 The weather outlook remains dynamic, Eckhoff said, so stay tuned to news and weather reports throughout Thursday. — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2026 Cooling inflation could change the outlook for mortgage rates, but several factors remain in play. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 At the same time, that sunny outlook bore no significant relationship to productivity outcomes. — Mark Ma, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlook

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlook

Noun

Plan for at least three days to experience the route without rushing, and don’t hesitate to linger at any point along the way—many of the best overlooks, beaches, and waterfalls are just a short walk from the highway.

— Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 7 Aug. 2026
The detail that makes a trip memorable, a particular overlook worth timing right, or a family-run restaurant that never makes it onto a map, tends to get lost at that scale.

— Emma Capp, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of overlook

Noun

While everyone tries to photograph the actual eclipse, French prefers a different perspective if viewing the event with friends or family.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Head coach Keith Andrews’ team also have an excellent-looking start from an attacking perspective, with games against Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Chelsea taking them to the September international break.

— Holly Shand, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of perspective

Noun

In those entries, Fauci discussed his views on the origins of the coronavirus — a topic Paul has accused Fauci of issuing misleading statements on, which Fauci has long denied.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
The stream will feature expert commentary on the science of the eclipse along with live views from telescopes at the Observatorio Astrofisco de Javalambre, which is located close to the Spanish city of Teruel directly in the path of totality.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of view

Noun

What to read next Of the ten occultations, four could be seen from observatories in multiple locations, which meant that the different observatories could confirm each other's results.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
After securing Swift in its grasp, LINK will carefully fire its three ion thrusters, aiming to boost the observatory back to its original orbit over the course of two to three months.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of observatory

Noun

Revisit the story of Huckleberry Finn, now told from its character Jim’s viewpoint.

— Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
However, the term can become dangerous when government officials, political appointees, or governing boards use it to determine which viewpoints must be represented in faculty hiring or promotion.

— Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of viewpoint

Noun

Cummins is a former senior vice president at the government contractor Serco, which runs air traffic control towers at 60 American airports.

— Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
The final sale of an iconic office tower known as the Stilts Building was completed, according to a spokesperson for the buyers.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of tower

Browse Nearby Words

outliving

outlook

outlooks

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Style

“Outlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlook. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of outlook

noun

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