Synonyms

leering

American

[leer-ing] / ˈlɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

indicating lewd, sly, or malicious intent.

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

leeringly adverb

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.

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

One reason why is that Bon Jovi never seemed leering in the way that some of your ’80s hair-metal contemporaries did.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2024

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

One sat above the living room sofa, leering at disquieted visitors.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2022

I saw SEEf leering at me and heard him.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023