General:
* Gazed: To look steadily and intently.
* Stated: To express something in words.
* Appeared: To seem or to give the impression of being something.
* Seemed: To give the impression of being something.
* Glanced: To look briefly or quickly.
Specific:
* Observed: To watch or notice something.
* Examined: To look at something carefully.
* Inspected: To look at something carefully, usually to check its condition.
* Surveyed: To look at something carefully, especially to get a general view of it.
* Scrutinized: To look at something very carefully, often to find something wrong with it.
* Peeked: To look at something quickly and secretly.
Figurative:
* Reflected: To think carefully about something.
* Contemplated: To think about something carefully and for a long time.
* Considered: To think about something carefully before making a decision.
For example:
* Instead of "He looked at the painting," you could say "He gazed at the painting," "He examined the painting," or "He contemplated the painting."
Choose the word that best fits the meaning and tone of your sentence.