Crossword Genius

Looked to shelter socialist (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leered

'looked' is the definition.
(leering is a kind of looking)

'shelter socialist' is the wordplay.
'shelter' becomes 'lee' (as in lee side, the side sheltered from wind).
'socialist' becomes 'red' (red can informally mean a socialist).
'lee'+'red'='LEERED'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for leered that I've seen before include "Looked and smiled lasciviously" , "Looked or stared lasciviously" , "Looked lecherously" , "Look suggestively" , "Ogled" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app