LEERING Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

leering 1 of 2

adjective

as in lascivious

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leering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of leer

as in ogling

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of leering

Adjective

At the gym, located in Garden Grove, Hansen says they were met with unwelcoming and leering stares before entering the facility. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Were crude, leering, blunt; low-dive, bump-and-grind, tits-and-ass toilets. — Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leering

Adjective

The 1962 film version featured a more innocent family with a daughter who’s presexual and thus a naïve object of lust for Robert Mitchum’s casually lascivious Cady.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 July 2026
On Wednesday, Nakashima remained in jail at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $45,000 bond on three counts of lewd and lascivious battery by an authority figure.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Definition of lascivious

Verb

Fueled up after a good breakfast, there’s nothing more NorCal than wandering around a farmers market and ogling the seasonal produce.

— Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026
In a viral clip on X from a fan account for Criss, 39, the Glee alum can be seen ogling Peters on the red carpet of the 79th annual Tony Awards on June 7.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026

Definition of ogling

Adjective

Dozens of people had spent almost a year living outside, filthy and exhausted, and for what?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

Definition of filthy

Adjective

These stories were reprinted in Scottish and English botanical texts, and Henrietta would have known about the obscene ideas connected with the mushroom.

— Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026
Jackson then allegedly drove over into another lane and swerved at the victim, while using an obscene hand gesture.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Definition of obscene

Adjective

Defendants in those cases now face charges including grooming, indecent solicitation of a minor and traveling to meet a minor.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
In the before-times, leaving the house with naked nails would be as indecent as walking around in the buff.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Definition of indecent

Adjective

Last year, the Supreme Court upheld a different Texas law requiring that pornographic websites verify users are at least 18 to allow access.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Last year, the court upheld a Texas law that requires pornographic websites to verify users' ages.

— Nina Totenberg, NPR, 6 July 2026

Definition of pornographic

Adjective

Historic World Cup clashes, controversial refereeing calls, viral locker-room videos and a bombastic TV rant have deepened resentment, turning Argentina–Mexico tensions into a proxy battle over class, race and nationalism.

— Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
While Edwards has taken strides as a leader, the Wolves said goodbye to Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson and Joe Ingles this offseason, three of their most important locker-room voices.

— Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of locker-room

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“Leering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leering. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of leering

adjective

verb

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