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 Wall Street downgrades the American consumer Both banks have revised their outlooks lower. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026 Bahrain faces growing economic strain due to the war, with ratings agency Moody’s changing its outlook on the kingdom from stable to negative. Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026 UnitedHealth Group soared more than 7% in premarket after its first-quarter results came in ahead of Wall Street projections and the health care company raised its full-year profit outlook. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 The alarming outlook was outlined during a presentation to the Board of Supervisors on the 2024 Annual Report on Contra Costa Continuum of Care. Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outlook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlook
Noun
  • Take in the two permanent hiking trails at your own pace, leaving plenty of time to bask in the vastness and solitude of the scenic overlooks.
    Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
  • From the overlook, the road reads as a line dividing two expressions of the same dune system.
    Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That perspective was shared by the county staff members who presented to them.
    Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Dillihay will explore the creative decision-making, cultural perspective, and collaborative leadership required to bring the project to life – from guiding story and shaping performances to aligning hundreds of artists and technicians behind one cohesive vision.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And yet, here in April, with the run-in upon the club and its biggest knockout match for 30 years coming into view at Wembley, Longstaff stirred those emotions again.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Winding across hills, through orchards, and surrounded by tropical flora, the layout features mountain and ocean views, notably on the 14th hole where players can marvel at whales and dolphins offshore.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Another group of astronomers caught sight of the asteroid again, later that same year, at an observatory in Australia.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Throughout the construction, Tony, as chief scientist, played a critical role in tackling some of the thorniest research problems, pushing the boundaries of detector and survey design and transforming a bold idea into a flagship observatory.
    Risa Wechsler, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Trails like the River Canyon take you down to cool water and rocky viewpoints, while shorter paths such as Lava Bluffs are great for a quick scenic walk.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
  • That is the very definition of viewpoint discrimination, something the First Amendment squarely forbids.
    Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Baltimore County Police Department is urging residents who live near a Towson apartment complex to be on the lookout after receiving multiple reports of men looking into windows and potentially recording residents in the area.
    Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Docks stressed that there are no specific or credible threats against the race but asked spectators to remain on the lookout for suspicious activity.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Those options culminate with the Pendry suite, a 21st-floor, two-bedroom corner suite with a baby grand piano and state-of-the-art entertainment system from Bowers & Wilkins (complete with an in-room turntable, amplifier, curated record collection, and tower speakers).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Now, three months later, the commission is wrangling over whether to buy the existing tower or build a pricey new City Hall that could cost more than $1 billion over 30 years.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlook. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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