Synonyms of left

left 1 of 2

noun

as in liberalism

a political belief stressing progress, the essential goodness of humankind, and individual freedom

a rising politician who is being hailed as the new voice of the left

Synonyms & Similar Words

• liberalism
• left wing
• leftism
• socialism
• neoliberalism
• radicalism

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• right
• conservatism
• immobilism
• illiberalism
• neoconservatism

left

2 of 2

verb

past tense of leave

1

as in abandoned

to cause to remain behind

you can leave your lunch in the refrigerator while we're outside

starry-eyed lovers who promise never to leave one another

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abandoned
• stranded
• deserted
• dumped
• quit
• ignored
• marooned
• escaped
• discarded
• flung
• forgot
• forsook
• walked away from
• relinquished
• shed
• vacated
• walked out on
• withdrew (from)
• scrapped
• ditched
• rejected
• separated (from)
• surrendered
• sacrificed
• delivered
• cut off
• jettisoned
• retreated (from)
• handed over
• threw away
• renounced
• neglected
• junked
• gave up
• yielded
• took off (from)
• threw out
• shucked (off)
• repudiated
• disregarded
• disowned
• abjured
• distanced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• had
• kept
• held
• retained
• owned
• reserved
• possessed
• withheld
• reclaimed
• saved
• harbored
• rescued
• redeemed

2

as in bequeathed

to give by means of a will

I'm going to leave all of my possessions to my children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bequeathed
• willed
• passed (down)
• deeded
• handed down
• devised
• handed on

3

as in quit

to give up (a job or office)

he left his job in the city and moved out into the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quit
• abandoned
• resigned (from)
• retired (from)
• vacated
• gave notice
• chucked
• bagged
• stepped down (from)
• stepped aside (from)
• dropped out (of)
• threw up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stayed (at)
• hired (out or on)

4

as in handed

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another

why don't you leave your watch with me while you swim?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• handed
• transferred
• gave
• entrusted
• passed
• delivered
• delegated
• relinquished
• transmitted
• granted
• recommended
• committed
• consigned
• confided
• vested
• turned over
• loaned
• trusted
• handed over
• commended
• divided
• assigned
• submitted
• bequeathed
• distributed
• lent
• gave over
• reposed
• conferred
• dispensed
• supplied
• dispersed
• surrendered
• dealt (out)
• turned in
• furnished
• handed down
• released
• yielded
• willed
• handed in
• advanced
• handed on
• retransferred
• recommitted
• redelivered
• retransmitted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• held
• kept
• retained
• reserved
• received
• owned
• withheld
• possessed
• accepted
• took
• occupied
• detained
• held back
• took in
• took over

5

as in dumped

to end a usually intimate relationship with

is there ever a good way to leave a lover?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dumped
• ditched
• abandoned
• cut
• jilted
• blew off
• broke off (with)
• kissed off
• deserted
• kissed good-bye
• snubbed
• marooned
• brushed (aside or off)
• slighted
• forsook
• cold-shouldered
• quit
• high-hatted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• took
• hooked up (with)
• befriended
• latched (on or onto)

6

as in allowed

to give permission to

aw, leave him come

Synonyms & Similar Words

• allowed
• permitted
• let
• authorized
• approved
• empowered
• licensed
• liberated
• endorsed
• commissioned
• sanctioned
• freed
• indulged
• released
• catered (to)
• gave in (to)
• humored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prohibited
• forbade
• enjoined
• discouraged
• prevented
• blocked
• constrained
• barred
• frustrated
• inhibited
• impeded
• deterred
• obstructed
• held back
• curbed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of left

Noun

Shortstop Miguel Rojas, who botched a grounder to his left earlier in the inning that enabled a run to score, was late breaking to cover third, leaving the bag wide open. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Shobeir had other ideas, diving to his left to block the shot for Messi’s second penalty miss of the tournament after also failing from the spot against Austria in the group stage. — James Robson, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026

People respond positively to hearing their own names—according to a study from the Institute for the Study of Child Development, hearing one’s name activates the left hemisphere of the brain. — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

As progressives fought on Tuesday to salvage some validation from the wreckage of Graham Platner’s Senate bid, his most important endorser on the left broke a conspicuous silence to try to nudge him out of the race. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 July 2026

Phrases Containing left

• left wing