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Showing results for "leering"
  • present participle of leer.
Synonyms

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.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of leering

leer 1 ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But when she played the early solo cut “Money” too, a leering rap banger, she showed she’s always had this in her.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 12, 2025

There are T-shirts, phones, watches, furniture, clocks, slippers, tents, wallets, trading cards, eye shadow and roller skates with Garfield’s leering image.

From New York Times Jun. 7, 2024

To add insult to injury, she describes John Eastman, another coup plotter, as flashing a "leering grin" while Giuliani manhandled her.

From Salon Sep. 22, 2023

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

I looked back for the leering clown, but he had melted into the crowd.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

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