To look at someone with an unpleasant, sneering smile that suggests bad intentions or mockery.
From Middle Dutch 'loeren' or Middle Low German 'lüren,' meaning to lurk or look sidewise. It originally meant to peer from a hiding place before evolving to mean any suspicious or predatory glance.
Theater actors developed 'the leer' as a specific facial expression to show wickedness—it became so iconic that we now use it in real life to convey creepiness or mockery!
Leering historically coded as male predatory behavior toward women; gendered power dynamics (male gaze, female object) embedded in literary and social contexts.
Use 'leer' factually; be aware it often carries gendered threat. Consider whether gendered context is necessary or if 'stare', 'look mockingly' suffice.
["stare","ogle","look mockingly"]
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.