LEERING Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

leering 1 of 2

adjective

as in lascivious

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Dissimilar Words

leering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of leer

as in ogling

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Dissimilar Words

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

Were crude, leering, blunt; low-dive, bump-and-grind, tits-and-ass toilets. — Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leering

Adjective

Some artists have eras, experimental phases, detours, creative dalliances; Arthur Russell’s career, for all its seeming contradictions—classical minimalism and lascivious disco, Zen Buddhist mantras and winsome country pop—was a continuum.

— Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 27 June 2026
On Thursday, Riemer pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd or lascivious exhibition.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 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

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
A week after Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, doctors warn untreated wounds, filthy shelters and scarce supplies are fueling a looming wave of infections that could claim more lives.

— Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of filthy

Adjective

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
The obscene pay of CEOs, growing 20 times as fast as workers’ pay last year, and the obscene wealth in the tech world, with money cascading into the hands of greedy billionaires who lack empathy or even noblesse oblige.

— Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

Definition of obscene

Adjective

Morris pleaded guilty in October last year in Oklahoma to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child.

— Giles Hudson, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Varley, a teacher, was also found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm; four counts of cruelty to a person under 16; ten counts of taking indecent images of a child; two counts of possessing indecent images of a child; and one count of distributing an indecent image of a child.

— KC Baker, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

Definition of indecent

Adjective

Gibson asked for pornographic images of the minor, and sent photos of himself, according to court documents.

— Kendrick Calfee June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
While Washington drags its feet, kids across the nation are being exposed to vile, pornographic images and ads with no meaningful safeguards to prevent it.

— Rachel del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

Definition of pornographic

Adjective

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
Upon opening the package, the fragrances don't announce themselves with the hyper-masculine aggression of a locker-room body spray.

— Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of locker-room

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“Leering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leering. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of leering

adjective

verb

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