outward-looking
/ˈaʊt.wədˌlʊk.ɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈaʊt.wɚdˌlʊk.ɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
outward-looking — adjective
1. willing to consider unfamiliar viewpoints or ideas, and to work alongside indivi
willing to consider unfamiliar viewpoints or ideas, and to work alongside individuals from varied cultural or professional backgrounds.
The school introduced an outward-looking curriculum with exchange programmes in Kenya and Vietnam.
attributive: outward-looking + curriculum
Takeshi's outward-looking attitude helped him lead a team of engineers from four different countries.
collocation: outward-looking attitude
Isabela believes that an outward-looking policy allows rural clinics to learn from foreign hospitals.
After years of local focus, the winery adopted a more outward-looking strategy.
Nellie chose a university known for its outward-looking approach to international student exchange.
- open-minded
broader term that also covers personal willingness to consider new ideas, not necessarily with a collaborative or international dimension
- cosmopolitan
emphasises familiarity with and appreciation of many different cultures, often in an urban or global context
- inclusive
focuses on actively including people from diverse backgrounds rather than just being open to ideas
- inward-looking
the direct opposite — focused on internal or local matters rather than external ideas or collaboration
- insular
implies a narrow, closed attitude that rejects outside influences
- parochial
suggests a limited, small-town perspective that disregards the wider world
文法句型
outward-looking + noun (approach / policy / attitude / curriculum / strategy)
become / seem / be + more outward-looking
用法筆記
Commonly placed before a noun (attributive position), especially with nouns such as 'approach', 'policy', 'curriculum', 'attitude', and 'strategy'. The comparative form 'more outward-looking' is frequent when describing a shift in direction.
常見錯誤
2. paying more attention to the wider world or to the needs and interests of other
paying more attention to the wider world or to the needs and interests of other people than to your own immediate concerns.
The relief group expanded its outward-looking mission to help communities in three new countries.
collocation: outward-looking mission
Lakan developed an outward-looking habit by chatting with travellers at the hostel in Bangkok.
An outward-looking foreign policy considers the well-being of people across the border.
Kasia's outward-looking perspective won her the respect of colleagues who admired her global awareness.
The mayor proposed an outward-looking vision that addresses climate change together with neighbouring cities.
- other-focused
more direct synonym specifically about prioritising others' needs over one's own
- altruistic
stronger — implies self-sacrifice and generosity rather than just awareness
- extroverted
limited to personality traits; does not apply to organisations or policies
- self-centred
focused on oneself rather than on others
- inward-looking
overlaps with sense 1 antonym; here it emphasises a focus on internal affairs over external ones
- self-absorbed
too concerned with one's own interests to notice others
文法句型
outward-looking + noun (mission / perspective / vision / habit)
become / be + more outward-looking
用法筆記
Often used in explicit or implicit contrast with 'inward-looking' to describe a shift of focus from self or local concerns to broader external ones. Frequently appears in discussions of foreign policy, organisational mission, and personal development.