left wing

noun

plural left wings

1

: the leftist division of a group (such as a political party) : the segment of a group (such as a political party) that calls for greater adherence to liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a) or progressivism (see progressivism sense 1)

the left wing of the Democratic Party

2

: political parties and individuals who support or promote political liberalism or progressivism

sometimes, specifically : such parties and individuals who are deeply opposed to capitalism

left-wing

ˈleft-ˈwiŋ 

adjective

left-wing politics

left-winger

ˈleft-ˈwiŋ-ər 

noun

plural left-wingers

the party's left-wingers

Synonyms of left wing

• liberalism
• left

Examples of left wing in a Sentence

His nomination is supported by the party's left wing but opposed by the right wing.

the left wing has lost considerable influence in the party, which is now aggressively courting political moderates

Recent Examples on the Web

Jeffries, who is on track to make history as the nation’s first Black speaker of the House, faces skepticism from voices in the party’s left wing. — Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

Surveillance video from the flight center shows the plane tilting up on its nose and left wing before being pushed forward, eventually flipping entirely over. — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2026

The nefarious influence of the Democratic Socialists of America — the left wing’s populist equivalent of MAGA — threatens Democrats’ ability to craft policies supported by most Americans. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2026

Candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, along with the left wing organization’s leaders, have been willing to engage with its anchors even as Fox News opinion hosts paint them as dangerous radicals. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for left wing

• bowstring
• coiling
• downswing
• drawstring
• forewing
• hamstring
• lapwing
• mainspring
• offspring
• plaything
• shoestring
• texting