: to say nothing of : not to mention
—used especially to emphasize the improbability of a contrasting example
… he would never walk again, let alone play golf.—
Sports Illus.
Sports Illus.how many ever see an Ambassador or Minister, let alone a President—Robert Lacville
Robert Lacvillelet alone
2 of 2phrase
: to leave undisturbed
let the flowers alone
also
: to leave to oneself
wanted to be let alone
Examples of let alone in a Sentence
Conjunction
I don't have enough money for a new car, let alone a luxury sedan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Many West African smallholder farmers cannot afford basic inputs and food due to extreme poverty, let alone major sustainability or regenerative agricultural investments like shade trees, irrigation or changing farm locations.
—Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Few living architects can claim, in good faith, to have shaped the character of a whole neighborhood, let alone a city or country.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Goal of the season There have not been a vast array of goals to choose from, let alone a plethora of world-class strikes, but there are a few contenders.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for let alone
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Conjunction
Even the six-foot-seven Bryce Eldridge would’ve had a hard time making contact with the ball, let alone catching it.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Many West African smallholder farmers cannot afford basic inputs and food due to extreme poverty, let alone major sustainability or regenerative agricultural investments like shade trees, irrigation or changing farm locations.
—Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Few living architects can claim, in good faith, to have shaped the character of a whole neighborhood, let alone a city or country.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Goal of the season There have not been a vast array of goals to choose from, let alone a plethora of world-class strikes, but there are a few contenders.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for let alone
Cite this Entry
“Let alone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20alone. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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