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

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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

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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
In recent years, the state’s Republican leader has argued that the College Board’s AP courses — long a popular way for Florida high school students to get a head start on their college course load — tilt to the political left. Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026 The same can be said about the Broncos All-Pro left tackle. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 May 2026 Maggie looked to the left of the platform where the Artist’s assistant sat at a small table, each remaining fruit sweating on a silver supply tray before her. Literary Hub, 8 May 2026 However, about six hours into the flight, the aircraft made a sharp left turn while flying over Kazakhstan in Central Asia. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for left
Recent Examples of Synonyms for left
Noun
  • But whereas leftist thinkers starting with Marx saw the liberal ideal as totally discredited, a mere camouflage for capitalist power, Habermas kept faith with the utopian potential of liberalism.
    Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
  • Erdoğan first emerged during the post-Cold War decade of unipolar, American triumph, adopting the language of free markets, liberalism, and human rights, and stretched those politics of optimism into the brief euphoria of the Obama years.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • After a federal judge ruled for the Justice Department, the merger was abandoned.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Abused, neglected, abandoned pigs At Willeyville Farm, Houk and, Jones-Willey and other volunteers were recently caring for about 40 pigs, with the goal of finding them adoptive homes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • One version of the nation’s history anchors itself in the efforts to navigate those tempests, to better the imperfect tools bequeathed to us by imperfect men.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Among the additions to the AKG holdings in that time was the estate of Marisol, a Pop artist who bequeathed it to the museum upon her death in 2016; the museum organized an acclaimed traveling retrospective of her art that first opened in 2023 and landed at the museum the following year.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Food aside, Sloane’s refusal to quit was the biggest factor, according to Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • Then, about a week after the jury was announced, its members collectively quit, without an explanation.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • In the sixth, they were handed a gift in the form of three straight two-out walks from starting pitcher Bryce Elder, before he was replaced by reliever Robert Suarez.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • When the bottom rod got hit, Sean Van Bibber grabbed it out of the rod-holder and set the hook, then handed the rod to his older brother, who landed the snapper.
    Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Signs were posted this week warning of a disruption and preservation advocates took the government to court as debris dumped there from the White House East Wing demolition tested positive for lead.
    Steven Sloan, Fortune, 9 May 2026
  • His teammates, seemingly stunned by the magnitude of the moment, swarmed him at home plate and dumped Gatorade on Alaniz in celebration of the 5-4 victory.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Soriano allowed three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks in five innings.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • If catchers, pitchers, or hitters believed an umpire missed a call, they were suddenly allowed to challenge it.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But Colorado left runners on the corners in the fourth and stranded the bases loaded in the sixth after McCarthy’s blooped double to center tied the game.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
  • Brock led off the seventh with a single but Millikan sophomore Jade Torres stranded the tying run at first base to seal the Rams a 4-3 victory at Fullerton High in a clash of league champions preparing for the CIF-SS playoffs.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Left.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/left. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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