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Glite Dictionary
leering

leering

5 7.7
Looking at someone in a rude, sexual way that makes them feel uncomfortable
  • adjective
  • /ˈlɪrɪŋ/
  • NSFW
: lascivo
  • The man's leering gaze made her feel very uncomfortable during the meeting.

Examples

  • She avoided eye contact with him because of his leering smile.

  • His leering behavior at the party was inappropriate and made others uneasy.

  • Or they need to stop leering over other women or men on social media.

  • And he's just always standing behind him leering and Megs, right?

Synonyms

to ogle
vsleering
  • Offensive
19 7.9

To look at someone in a strong, often sexual way that may make them feel uncomfortable

adds a sly unpleasant tone that makes others feel uncomfortable
to leer
vsleering
  • NSFW
16 7.4

To look at someone in a rude way that makes them feel uncomfortable

has identical meaning and is used the same way
to perve
vsleering
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To look at someone in a sexual way that makes them feel uncomfortable

is more neutral in tone and broadly used rather than slang
teasing
vsleering
  • Offensive
1 7.0

Acting to show sexual interest without wanting to continue

focuses on an unpleasant suggestive look not broader playful sexual behaviour
to give the glad eye
vsleering
  • NSFW
1 9.9

Look at someone to show romantic or sexual interest

is more sly and unpleasant rather than playful attraction
to undress with one's eyes
vsleering
  • NSFW
9.7

To look at someone in a way that shows sexual interest as if they have no clothes

is more about a sly unpleasant stare rather than imagined undressing

Antonyms

to gaze
169 2.6

To look steadily with admiration, surprise, or deep thought

to give the eye
1 7.7

To look at someone with interest to judge or admire them

How Suggestive

to ogle
  • Offensive
19 7.9
leering
  • NSFW
5 7.7
staring
8 1.8
to gaze
169 2.6
to glance
300 1.5

Surface Forms

leering positive

Morphology

leering = leer (transparent) = leer + ing

Formed by the verb 'leer' plus the participial/adjectival suffix '-ing', preserving the verb's meaning as 'looking in an unpleasant or sexually suggestive way.'

Etymology

Leering comes from the verb leer, which once described giving a sly, 'sideways' look from the corner of the eye. So a leering look is a quiet, unpleasant stare that makes someone feel uncomfortable, and it is the same root as leery.