leer

1 of 2

verb

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 adverb

leer

2 of 2

noun

: a lascivious, knowing, or wanton look

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
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 In this production, most of the Spanish men are leering, grabbing, demanding predators, so Carmen merely capitalizes on their base desires to survive. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
Para leer este artículo en español, visita el siguiente enlace. Yuliana Montiel, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026 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 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

Cite this Entry

“Leer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leer. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

leer

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

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