leering

[ leer-ing ]

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 Words From

• leer·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of leering¹

leer ¹( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

She did nothing to stop him from leeringly telling one participant that she has a "beautiful voice."

From Salon

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

In other cases, witnesses were possibly nearby, so Trump reportedly limited himself to a forced kiss or leering with harassing comments.

From Salon

When she could get outside, she had to walk a gantlet of leering men who lined the sidewalks.

From New York Times

She was conscious as a teen of the older men in her audience “leering” at a “Lolita fantasy… no one could seem to think of me as both sexy and capable, or talented and hot.”

From Los Angeles Times