Another Word for Look: 19 Synonyms with Examples
To look is to direct your eyes at something, to search, or to seem. In writing, a more precise verb shows how someone looks or what they are looking for.
As a verb: direct your eyes
- glance
- gaze
- stare
- peer
- watch
- observe
- view
As a verb: search
- search
- hunt
- seek
- look for
- browse
As a verb: seem
- seem
- appear
- come across as
- look like
As a noun: an act of looking
- glance
- glimpse
- peek
- view
- inspection
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- glance
- Looks quickly and briefly.
- gaze
- Looks steadily for a long time, often with wonder or thought.
- stare
- Looks fixedly, sometimes rudely.
- peer
- Looks closely, as if it is hard to see.
- observe
- Watches carefully, often to learn or record.
- seem
- Gives an impression, not necessarily through sight.
Example sentences
- glance: She glanced at the clock and picked up her bag.
- gaze: He gazed out of the window at the hills.
- stare: Don't stare at people on the train.
- peer: We peered through the fog for the lighthouse.
- observe: Students observed the experienced teacher's lessons for a week.
- seem: The new neighbours seem friendly.
Opposite of look
- ignore
- overlook
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “look”. Check the meaning before you use one.
noun: expression, aspect, face, looking, spirit, tone, feel, feeling, flavor, flavour
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “look”?
The most useful alternatives are “glance”, “gaze”, “stare”, “peer”, “watch”. For the main sense (direct your eyes), “glance” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “glance” and “gaze”?
glance: Looks quickly and briefly. gaze: Looks steadily for a long time, often with wonder or thought.
What is the opposite of “look”?
Common antonyms are “ignore”, “overlook”.