GLANCE Synonyms | 18 Similar Words (With Examples)

You love discovering new words, right? Well, in this article, we are going to explore 18 fun synonyms for ‘glance’. Words like ‘peek’, ‘gaze’, and ‘scan’ can make your writing sound more lively. You will see examples and tips on how to use each one.

Synonym	Meaning	Example
Peek	A quick or secret look	She took a peek at the gift before opening it.
Gaze	A steady and long look	He could not stop his gaze on the beautiful sunset.
Scan	Look quickly but carefully	She scanned the room to find her friend.
Glimpse	A very short look	He caught a glimpse of the cat behind the fence.
Stare	Look for a long time	The children stared at the magician in awe.
Eye	To look closely	She eyed the painting with curiosity.
Peep	A small, secret look	The baby peeped through the curtains.
Ogle	Look at with desire	He ogled the sports car in the showroom.
Observe	Watch carefully	She observed the birds in the garden for hours.
Notice	See or recognize	Did you notice the new painting on the wall?
Behold	See or look at something impressive	They beheld the mountain with wonder.
Survey	Look over a large area	He surveyed the city from the top of the hill.
Contemplate	Think deeply while looking	She contemplated the stars in silence.
Regard	Look carefully with attention	He regarded the painting with interest.
Peer	Look closely or with effort	She peered through the fog to see the street.
Glare	Look angrily or strongly	He glared at the noisy crowd.
Blink	Quickly close and open eyes	She blinked at the bright sunlight.
Scan	Look over quickly	He scanned the menu to choose a dish.

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Peek

Peek means taking a quick or secret look at something. It is often used when you do not want anyone to see you. People use peek when they are curious or excited. This word is playful and can show a little surprise. You can use peek in everyday talks when looking at gifts, letters, or windows. It gives a sense of a short, fast look, not long or serious, but fun and small.

She peeked at her birthday present before her party.
He peeked around the corner to see who was there.
The children peeked under the bed to find their toy.

Gaze

Gaze means looking at something for a long time, usually with interest or love. It is different from a quick glance. You can gaze at beautiful things like sunsets, stars, or paintings. Gaze often shows admiration or deep thought. People also use it to show they are lost in thought. Using gaze makes your sentence feel soft and emotional. It is calm and peaceful, not fast or secretive.

She gazed at the ocean for hours.
He gazed at the painting in the museum.
They gazed at each other during the dance.

Also Read: 21 Synonyms for Integrity | Another Word for Integrity (With Examples)

Scan

Scan means looking over something quickly but carefully. You do not spend too much time, but you still check important details. It is often used for reading, searching, or checking. Scan can be used for rooms, lists, or papers. It is a helpful word for everyday life. You can scan to find a name, a number, or something unusual. This makes your description active and attentive.

He scanned the newspaper for headlines.
She scanned the crowd to find her friend.
They scanned the room before the meeting.

Glimpse

Glimpse means seeing something very briefly or quickly. It is usually a short and surprising look. Glimpse gives the feeling of something appearing for a moment. You often use it when someone sees a person, animal, or object for only a second. It creates curiosity or excitement. Using glimpse makes your story lively because it shows something is passing fast.

He caught a glimpse of a bird in the tree.
She glimpsed the new movie poster in the shop.
They glimpsed a rainbow after the rain.

Stare

Stare means looking at something for a long time without moving your eyes. It can show surprise, curiosity, or sometimes rudeness. People stare when they cannot believe what they see. Stare is stronger than a glance or peek. It can be emotional, funny, or serious. Staring can be used in stories to show feelings, shock, or focus.

The baby stared at the colorful toy.
He stared at the sky during the fireworks.
She stared at her friend in disbelief.

Eye

Eye means looking at something closely or carefully. It often shows interest or attention. People use eye when they check details, objects, or people. Eye is a flexible word for both small and long looks. Using it makes sentences more descriptive and active. It can also show curiosity or focus.

She eyed the painting with curiosity.
He eyed the dessert on the table.
They eyed the new car in the showroom.

Peep

Peep means a small or secret look. It is like a peek but smaller and often cuter. People peep when they are shy, playful, or curious. Peep gives a soft and gentle feeling. You can use it for children, animals, or anyone trying to look secretly. It is short, private, and fun.

The baby peeped through the curtains.
She peeped at the note her friend left.
He peeped at the surprise gift before the party.

Ogle

Ogle means looking at someone with desire or admiration. It can show attraction, interest, or sometimes cheekiness. Ogle is stronger than a glance and is more about noticing details with attention. You can use it for people, cars, or anything attractive. It gives your sentence a little emotion or fun.

He ogled the sports car in the showroom.
She ogled the new fashion collection.
They ogled the delicious cake in the window.

Observe

Observe means watching carefully. It is more thoughtful and patient than a glance. People observe to understand, notice changes, or learn something. Observe can be used for nature, people, or activities. It is helpful to show attention and curiosity. Using observe makes writing feel attentive and thoughtful.

She observed the birds in the garden.
He observed the teacher’s instructions carefully.
They observed the traffic before crossing.

Notice

Notice means seeing or recognizing something. It is simple but shows awareness. People notice small or big details in everyday life. Notice can be used for objects, actions, or feelings. It makes your writing feel realistic and natural. It is often used when someone suddenly sees something important or different.

Did you notice the new painting on the wall?
He noticed her smile from across the room.
She noticed the missing book on the shelf.

Behold

Behold means looking at something impressive or amazing. It is more dramatic than a glance. People use behold for natural beauty, events, or something grand. Using behold makes your sentence feel emotional or poetic. It can also show admiration and wonder.

They beheld the mountain with awe.
She beheld the sunrise in silence.
He beheld the artwork at the gallery.

Survey

Survey means looking over a large area or space. It often shows checking, planning, or understanding a scene. Survey can be used for rooms, landscapes, or crowds. It gives a sense of observation and control. Using survey makes your sentence active and visual, showing that someone is taking in the whole picture.

He surveyed the city from the hilltop.
She surveyed the classroom before speaking.
They surveyed the land for building.

Contemplate

Contemplate means looking at something while thinking deeply. It is calm, slow, and thoughtful. People contemplate nature, ideas, or situations. Contemplate shows a mix of looking and thinking. It gives a reflective feeling in writing. Using contemplate makes your sentence thoughtful and emotional.

She contemplated the stars at night.
He contemplated the meaning of the story.
They contemplated the painting silently.

Regard

Regard means looking at something with attention or care. It often shows respect, interest, or consideration. People regard objects, people, or situations carefully. Regard is polite and thoughtful. Using regard can make your writing feel respectful or observant.

He regarded the painting with interest.
She regarded the instructions carefully.
They regarded the new rules at work.

Peer

Peer means looking closely, often with effort or difficulty. People peer through fog, windows, or darkness. It gives a sense of trying to see something clearly. Peer makes sentences feel active and curious. Using peer shows attention and effort.

She peered through the fog to see the street.
He peered into the dark room.
They peered over the fence to watch the game.

Glare

Glare means looking angrily or strongly at someone or something. It is a powerful look showing emotion. People glare when upset, annoyed, or warning. Glare is more intense than a stare. Using glare gives your sentence drama and energy.

He glared at the noisy crowd.
She glared at the mistake on paper.
They glared at the broken fence.

Blink

Blink means quickly closing and opening your eyes. It can be natural or show reaction. People blink at light, surprise, or confusion. Blink shows a very short look or response. Using blink can make your sentence lively and expressive.

She blinked at the bright sunlight.
He blinked in disbelief at the news.
The baby blinked at the moving toy.

Scan (again)

Scan also means looking over quickly but carefully. It can be used for searching or reading fast. People scan rooms, papers, or objects to find something important. Scan is active and attentive. Using scan shows effort and observation.

He scanned the menu to choose a dish.
She scanned the papers for mistakes.
They scanned the garden to see flowers.

Final Thoughts

Now you know 18 fun synonyms for glance. Using them can make your writing more lively, emotional, and interesting. Each word has a special feeling, from quick peeks to long gazes. Try them in your stories or talks and see the difference it makes. Have fun looking, noticing, and observing the world around you!