looks down
Peers from above
Looks down describes directing one's gaze downward, but the phrase almost always carries its figurative meaning: to regard someone or something as inferior.
To look down on a person is to consider yourself above them socially, intellectually, or morally: She looks down on people who didn't go to college.
The physical act of looking down at someone shorter became a metaphor for contempt or condescension.
Scornful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- sneerScornful expression
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
haughtiness · arrogance · dismissive · patronizing · belittling · snobbery · derision · supercilious
Sad from disappointment
- despondentDeeply discouraged, hopeless
- disheartenedLost confidence or hope
- forlornSad and abandoned
- glumQuietly dejected
sullen · morose · drooping · slouched · heavy-hearted · defeated · dispirited · discouraged
Prolonged, intent looking
- peeringStudying something with concentration
- scanningSystematic visual examination
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- examiningInspecting with care
watching · overlooking · inspecting · viewing · studying · observing · balcony · cliff
Self-consciously uncomfortable
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
- guiltyResponsible for wrongdoing
- abashedEmbarrassed and disconcerted
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
humiliated · contrite · remorseful · sheepish · chagrined · red-faced · penitent · regretful
Lacking in pretension
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- meekHumbly unassertive
- respectfulShowing proper regard
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
reverent · submissive · unassuming · self-effacing · demure · unpretentious · prayerful · genuflecting
disdain
Scornful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- sneerScornful expression
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
superiority · haughtiness · arrogance · dismissive · patronizing · belittling · snobbery · derision · supercilious · lofty
crestfallen
Sad from disappointment
- despondentDeeply discouraged, hopeless
- disheartenedLost confidence or hope
- forlornSad and abandoned
glum · sullen · morose · drooping · slouched · heavy-hearted · defeated · dispirited · discouraged · melancholy
gazing
Prolonged, intent looking
- peeringStudying something with concentration
- scanningSystematic visual examination
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
examining · watching · overlooking · inspecting · viewing · studying · observing · balcony · cliff · rooftop
embarrassed
Self-consciously uncomfortable
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
- guiltyResponsible for wrongdoing
- abashedEmbarrassed and disconcerted
mortified · humiliated · contrite · remorseful · sheepish · chagrined · red-faced · penitent · regretful · self-conscious
modest
Lacking in pretension
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- meekHumbly unassertive
- respectfulShowing proper regard
humble · reverent · submissive · unassuming · self-effacing · demure · unpretentious · prayerful · genuflecting · prostrate