leer

1 of 2

verb

ˈlir How to pronounce leer (audio)
leered; leering; leers
Synonyms of leernext

intransitive verb

: to cast a sidelong glance
especially : to give a leer
Some female employees complained that they were being leered at by male employees.
leeringly
ˈlir-iŋ-lē How to pronounce leer (audio)
adverb

leer

2 of 2

noun

: a lascivious, knowing, or wanton look

Synonyms of leer

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Verb

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Examples of leer in a Sentence

Verb She complained that some disgusting man was leering at her. He gave her a leering look.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Horror’s bloody images lurk in the shadows – from ghouls leering over people’s lawns to skeletons hanging from trees – whether invited or not. — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 The absence of Russian military hardware from the parade is a stark contrast to the bristling display of force previous years have provided, when Western arms experts would leer at the latest model of tank to note tiny updates. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 11 May 2026
Noun
Played by a Colman Domingo who is done up to look the most wax figurine of them all in a shellacking of makeup, prosthetics, and colored contacts, Joe is always either giving an avaricious open-mouthed leer or a cold-eyed glare. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 Harrelson brandishes that anything-goes leer that never gets old. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leer

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

probably from obsolete leer cheek

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leer was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

leep
leer
leerfish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leer. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

leer

verb
ˈli(ə)r
: to give a nasty or sexually suggestive look
leer noun
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