Showing results for "leering"

• present participle of leer.

leering

American  

[leer-ing] / ˈlɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. indicating lewd, sly, or malicious intent.

   He regarded her with a leering grin as she walked slowly up the path.

2. having a lewd, sly, or malicious look.

   The massive door, with a leering gargoyle for a knocker, lent the scene an air of unreality.

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Other Word Forms

• leeringly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of leering

leer ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

leering

And there’s the leering, preening Rupert Mannion from “Ted Lasso” — multimillionaire soccer team owner, inveterate philanderer and incurably vindictive divorcé.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026

In the past year, performative masc competitions have appeared across the country, with lesbians — hair slicked back and carabiners dangling from their Carhartt jeans — showing off in front of leering crowds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

He added it was a "privilege and honour" to be now playing the leering, flamboyant Emcee in "this incredible show".

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2023

“The Idol” is gross and leering in the way the set reports suggested, but it’s also inept in a way that Sam Levinson’s “Euphoria” would not suggest.

From New York Times ● Jun. 30, 2023

Sometimes a crush is better when it’s a one-way, as long as you keep quiet about it and don’t freak the girl out with creepy leering or unsolicited corny texts or whatever.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin