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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

left

2 of 2

verb

past tense of leave
1
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
5
6

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
Turn right onto County Road 110, followed by a left onto County Road 113. R. Scott Rappold, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026 To her left, DiMaria followed the crowd with his camera. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026 In the wild seas of California politics, his YIMBYism has drawn attacks from the left. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026 Judd's free throw with 1:38 left gave Texas its final point of the afternoon. Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for left
Recent Examples of Synonyms for left
Noun
  • This, together with the fragmented working class and weak community roots of Lindsay’s liberalism, left the city unable to fight the wave of neoliberal austerity measures that faced the city.
    Daniel Wortel-London, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Likewise, should Madisonian liberalism regain its footing, the assumptions political scientists have relied on for so long will once again appear to many as eternal truths.
    Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the history of gold panning, workers had never been abandoned in remote or forgotten areas of the jungle.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The buildings were abandoned as the public school system grew more welcoming of Black students, and many of the sites have been lost, historians say.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • His mother bequeathed to him her fierceness.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Leon's children filed a civil lawsuit in the Clark County Circuit Court in 2024 claiming that Jamey took money that was bequeathed to them after their father's death in 2018.
    Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • And speaking of personal, the same CU faithful who called Seaton the next Penei Sewell 18 months ago are slamming him as a me-first, money-chasing hypocrite who quit on his team and his coach.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The reality is, whether your kid makes it to the pros or is part of the 70% who quit before 13, every kid eventually plays their last game at some point.
    Jonathan Carone, Parents, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In a preseason contest against Arizona, though, Webb was handed the play-calling reins and widely impressed in a 27-7 win.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Over the last few years, HBO has handed Maher a two season deal each time, the last one in 2024.
    Peter White, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • On June 15, the Red Sox dumped Devers and the remainder of his contract on the San Francisco Giants.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Less than two minutes later, on a fast break, Jalen Douglas faked a shot, then dumped the ball down low to Sims, who scored on a layup.
    Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Under California’s 66-year-old Master Plan for Higher Education, the UC and CSU systems were once the only public schools allowed to offer bachelor’s degrees.
    Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The Thorns loaned her to Lyon in 2022, and later allowed her permanent transfer to the team in France's top division.
    Romi Bean, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In June, a wildcat strike by gallery attendants, ticket agents and security staff delayed the museum’s daily opening, leaving thousands of visitors stranded beneath the pyramid.
    Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The iconic William Golding novel tells of a group of children stranded on an island who attempt to remain civil but begin to fight.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Left.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/left. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

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