Outward-looking

adj. thoughtful, kind professional

What it means

Interested in other people, places, and new ideas.

Reach for it when describing people or institutions attentive to other communities and new ideas

An outward-looking curriculum connected local history with neighboring cultures.

Words to choose between 6

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
everyday
warm
professional
formal
literary
  • everyday

    engaged

    Fits when active connection with others is the key quality

    Careful Engagement needs its community or issue named.

  • warm

    open-minded

    Fits when unfamiliar ideas receive fair consideration

    Careful Open-mindedness can remain inward and individual.

  • professional

    externally focused

    Fits when attention goes beyond internal operations

    Careful The phrase can sound commercial and impersonal.

  • professional

    internationalist

    Fits when cooperation across nations is the guiding view

    Careful Internationalism is narrower and political.

  • formal

    cosmopolitan

    Fits when comfort with many cultures and places is central

    Careful Cosmopolitan can imply urban privilege.

  • literary

    worldly

    Fits when broad experience of people and places matters

    Careful Worldly can imply sophistication or materialism.

Opposites 3

  • insular
  • inward-looking
  • parochial

Common phrases 3

  • outward-looking culture

    An outward-looking culture invited neighboring schools to co-design lessons.

  • outward-looking organization

    The outward-looking organization published failures as well as successes.

  • remain outward-looking

    The town can remain outward-looking while protecting local traditions.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

Outward-looking can become empty institutional praise; name the relationships, learning, or shared authority that demonstrate it.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated