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

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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
Such cancellations are a blot on the escutcheon of the left as certainly as cancellations from the right, and the deference of any publisher to them a mark of rank cowardice. Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026 The victims clockwise from top left, Amy Ayers, Eliza Thomas, Sarah Harbison and Jennifer Harbison. CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026 Juniors Sebastian Zuzunaga and Kevin Carbajal both scored before Vazquez dove to his left to knock the shot attempt by senior Juan Gonzales wide, setting the stage for Iodice to seal the deal. Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026 And Jung has actually had three procedures, two on the right wrist and one on the left. Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for left
Recent Examples of Synonyms for left
Noun
  • The 1984 speech that so moved Baldwin remains one of the greatest articulations of American liberalism ever made.
    Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
  • But when many people within liberal societies do not feel that the system is working, when the practical case for liberalism comes into question, secular liberals don’t have much else to go on.
    Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The building, a former power plant abandoned in the ‘80s, looms over the crowd like a monolithic temple to techno.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The cab would be abandoned and the trailer would be hitched to another truck, court documents show.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Complicating matters further, Charles has bequeathed his school to his frenemy Magneto.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Given to Princess Mary as a wedding gift by the County of Lincoln, it was later bequeathed to Queen Elizabeth.
    Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In one of the most improbable comebacks in the history of figure skating, Alysa Liu of the United States, who quit the sport after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, reclaimed her career on her own joyous terms and won the gold medal in the women’s competition on Thursday at the Milan-Cortina Games.
    Bora Erden, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • For those trips where winter refuses to quit, this cozy knit set is the answer.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • With equal panache, and without cutting away, the narrative focus is handed like a baton in a relay race to the arriving Mayor Dumont (Josse De Pauw) and his daughter and press attaché Marie (Violet Braeckman).
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday handed Russia a tongue-in-cheek offer to end the war between the two countries at the Munich Security Conference.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • And, over the last few weeks, several meters of fresh snow have fallen across Europe, part of a weather pattern driven by an unusual southerly jet stream that has dumped huge amounts of precipitation across the continent, causing flooding in lower altitude areas.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The city was walloped by a major winter storm at the end of January, which dumped more than 10 inches of snow in Central Park and resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But that memorable relief inning in Game 5 to preserve a 7-6 victory over the Yankees was his final appearance for the Dodgers, who allowed Buehler to leave as a free agent for a lucrative deal with Boston.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • As with Mountain West newcomer North Dakota State, Sacramento State’s move is happening immediately for the 2026 season, meaning it isn’t allowed to play in the FBS postseason for two years.
    Jason Kirk, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In nearby Truckee, 30 inches of snow fell in just 24 hours — shutting down parts of the interstate in both directions and leaving cars and trucks stranded.
    Matt Gutman, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Now stranded and alone, all Lucy can do is laugh at herself and the sum of her decisions.
    Pamela Avila, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Left.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/left. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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