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
Asia Haynes, who had nine points and five rebounds, converted two free throws with less than a second left in the fourth quarter to send the game into OT. Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 Amid this debate, there are clear tensions among Democrats about how to address the left's stumbles in the 2024 presidential election, when Democrats lost the White House, Senate and failed to retake the House. Hunter Woodall, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026 Stress is a concept that plenty of people, particularly those on the political left, are familiar with right now. Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2026 If public opinion begins to swing against Schumer's caucus, however, the angst on the left may overtake any debate. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for left
Recent Examples of Synonyms for left
Noun
  • This is not a failing of the principles of liberalism, however, but a failure of those entrusted to act in its name.
    Philip Mullins, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Reminiscent of the violence against labor unions, liberalism, and Black soldiers that followed World War I, Robinson testified against Robeson in a climate that was now being called the second Red Scare.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Eli, who was adopted by a white woman as a child, has mostly abandoned any ties to his ethnic background.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Forensic experts testified that tiny fragments of flesh found inside William McGuire’s abandoned Nissan Maxima belonged to the victim and were not consistent with material shed by a living person.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 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
  • The approach can reduce the risk of injury, exhaustion and people quitting altogether, Stanford said.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Yet O'Hara, who in 1981 quit Saturday Night Live after one week, has earned a reputation as a performer who doesn't want to work.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The tall girl arranged her curls behind her ears and handed me three cones with vanilla and chocolate.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Cal State Northridge handed UC San Diego’s men’s basketball team its third straight loss Saturday.
    Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Global funds had dumped Indonesian bonds from September to November, before returning in the final month of 2025.
    Prima Wirayani, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • With the big snowstorm that just dumped more than a foot of snow across most of the state, Volkert also said residents should be diligent about clearing snow away from any vents to their home.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Marrus insisted that Troy Canty should be arrested the instant he was allowed to leave the hospital but also that his bail be set at $1,000—an amount this teen would never be able to pay.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Again, the intention behind his decision to flip the puck deep and go for a change was impeccable, but there was another option there that might have allowed the Canadiens to possess the puck a bit longer.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Tennessee National Guard said about 170 soldiers and airmen were assisting with recovery efforts, including helping more than 200 people stranded in vehicles and homes and providing rides to nearly 300 emergency and health care workers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In some cases, they have been released without paperwork, essentially stranded in Texas, with some managing to contact workers at resettlement agencies that previously assisted them, Wyatt said.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Left.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/left. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on left

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!