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look upon

B2 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words

You think of or consider something in a certain way, usually something important.

Literal meaning: To cast your gaze upon something.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic formal

To regard or consider someone or something in a particular way, usually with a formal or serious tone.

"She looked upon her work with the children as a calling, not just a job."

"We look upon this land as sacred."

— Widely used in Indigenous and political speeches; common phrasing in treaty and rights documents
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 idiomatic formal

To think of an experience or situation with a certain evaluative attitude (often positive: as an opportunity, a privilege, etc.).

"He looked upon the difficult years of his training as essential to everything he later achieved."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

More formal and literary than 'look on as.' Common in written English, religious texts, and elevated speech. Less common in everyday spoken English, where 'see as' or 'view as' is preferred.

Commonly used with

duty privilege honour challenge responsibility blessing

Forms

Base
look upon
I/you/we/they
3rd person
looks upon
he/she/it
Past simple
looked upon
yesterday
Past participle
looked upon
have + pp
-ing form
looking upon
continuous

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Synonyms

regard view as consider see as treat as deem

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