: 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
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The list of those with little inkling Humphreys would fly — let alone become a quintessential San Diego venue with multigenerational appeal — includes at least one San Diego Union-Tribune music critic.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
That is not a recipe for success at any time of year, let alone this one.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Social Security income alone may not cover medical expenses in retirement, let alone housing, food, and everything else.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for let alone
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Conjunction
Tehran can’t possibility compete in conventional military terms with the United States, let alone the United States and Israel together.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The list of those with little inkling Humphreys would fly — let alone become a quintessential San Diego venue with multigenerational appeal — includes at least one San Diego Union-Tribune music critic.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
That is not a recipe for success at any time of year, let alone this one.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Social Security income alone may not cover medical expenses in retirement, let alone housing, food, and everything else.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 2026.
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