left 1 of 2

Definition of leftnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

left

2 of 2

verb

past tense of leave
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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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of left
Noun
On entering the home, the living room is located to the left. Adam Williams july 14, New Atlas, 14 July 2026 Continue straight for 1/4 mile and park on the left to reach the trailhead. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 14, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 Candidates affiliated with Democratic Socialists of America, an organization well to the left of the Democratic Party, have scored wins in several of the party’s competitive primaries. Kirk McClure, Fortune, 14 July 2026 Tamai is shown standing next to Marco Sciarra, Executive President of Cimolai (a company working on the telescope's construction), in the middle and Pascal Martinez, ESO's Project Manager for the Dome and Main Structure of the ELT, on the left. Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for left
Recent Examples of Synonyms for left
Noun
  • As my colleague Jonathan Chait detailed in an essay earlier last week, this DSA isn’t just liberalism in a hurry.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • The primary victory on Tuesday by another democratic socialist, Melat Kiros, for a Denver congressional seat suggested the trend may extend beyond Manhattan liberalism.
    Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Bowles told the jury during trial that May would have never willingly abandoned her children.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • The series’ new iterations, starting with Fede Álvarez’s 2013 soft reboot Evil Dead, have largely abandoned its roots as horror-comedy in favor of orgiastic slaughter.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • After her death in 1997, Diana’s jewelry was bequeathed to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 July 2026
  • An astonishing wealth of information and wisdom has been bequeathed to us.
    Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Trinity head coach Aaron Lineweaver also backtracked on a claim, saying Meredith didn’t quit the team in the hearing.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
  • New York Times Gen X bosses are disengaging, while Gen Z talent is quitting.
    Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • Voters have already handed a good chunk of democracy itself over to nationalist, religious and ideological fascism.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • The regent turned to the 15-year-old boy and handed him full political power, five years ahead of schedule.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Behind them is Erling Haaland on seven, but the Norwegian was dumped out of the competition by England on Saturday so won’t be getting his hand on any trophies this summer.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
  • Rodríguez rejected social media reports alleging that rubble was being dumped into the Caribbean Sea, insisting the government intends to recycle much of the material.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • That allowed the Saudis to get its oil out via the Red Sea – not an option for Iraq and Kuwait, whose only seaports lie in the Persian Gulf.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Apple examines each application and each update of every third-party app, and if these don’t meet Apple’s definition of acceptable, then they are not allowed to be installed.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar retain heavy exposure to the waterway, while alternative pipelines cannot absorb all the crude and liquefied natural gas that would be stranded in a prolonged closure.
    Lee Ying Shan,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • When an engine fire knocked out power and plumbing for five days, 4,000 passengers were stranded with overflowing sewage — including, yes, poop — spoiled food and unbearable heat.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Left.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/left. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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