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let alone

conjunction

: 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.
how many ever see an Ambassador or Minister, let alone a PresidentRobert Lacville

Examples of let alone in a Sentence

I don't have enough money for a new car, let alone a luxury sedan.
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.
The moist, richly chocolaty sponge speaks to their quality ingredients—few restaurants, let alone cafeterias, use top-tier Nielsen-Massey vanilla in their confections like this place does. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025 Resurfacing any track is a big and costly undertaking, let alone when the track incorporates one of the busiest and most famous bits of road in the world in the form of the Strip. Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2025 There is no way our kids are strong enough to move it, let alone pull it down on themselves. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025 None of this intrigue is terribly inspired, let alone credible, but it’s handled with a certain panache. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for let alone

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of let alone was in 1765

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Let alone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20alone. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

let alone

conjunction
: to say nothing of : not to mention
lacked the courage, let alone the know-how
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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