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
For the left that supports the Palestinian cause, Muslims are the oppressed and the West – including Israel – are the oppressors… Whether Muslims hold conservative-religious views in this context is irrelevant. Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Mismatched mustache branding features the artist’s smiley face logo on the right shoe and Nike Air on the left. Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026 These days, instead of shiny new automobiles, two gleaming copper and stainless steel stills occupy the long room located to the left of the entrance. Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026 The pain distracted Garrett while facing a 49ers lineup that included three-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for left
Recent Examples of Synonyms for left
Noun
  • This inaugurated a golden age of liberalism and a break with the Court’s theretofore conservative history.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The national conservatives embrace Christian nationalism and seek to bulwark the homogeneous nation-state from threats from liberalism.
    Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Department of Financial Services periodically holds unclaimed property auctions, where abandoned safe deposit box contents are auctioned by the Division of Unclaimed Property, the state said.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
  • One of those vehicles was found abandoned and engulfed in flames near Detroit Avenue.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • More than a century after a rare painting, recently attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, was bequeathed to the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien in 1920, the painting, Portrait of an Old Man, will go on display on December 2, per reports.
    News Desk, Artforum, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Youthful ambition bequeathed them unpredictably shifting time signatures, a daunting nylon-string intro, some odd musical shifts during the guitar-solo section, and a long list of other complexities.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Staff quit without notice – presumably for better pay or shorter shifts at nursing homes and hospitals.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • McCalla wanted to bridge these social divides, which eventually led him to quit football to do more on campus.
    Jesse Dougherty, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When we were done, the mother handed me a tip and smiled apologetically before getting into her car.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Inside Judge Thomas Ayze’s courtroom, staffers handed documents to immigrants in a room filled with nearly two dozen people.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • On the night before everything came to an end, a cold front dumped about an inch-and-a-half of rain on New York City.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But she was abruptly dumped toward the end of the season, anyway, with three episodes still left to film.
    Michael Callahan, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Patriots faced only one defense last regular season that ranked in the top 10 in points allowed per drive (Cleveland Browns).
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Miami starter Tyler Phillips (5-6) allowed 3 runs and 5 hits over 5 innings.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Salvador Perez hit a bases-clearing double to draw the Royals to within 5-4, but the tying run was stranded at third.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Poor Maisie Williams, meanwhile, gets stranded in a hospital room watching Maridueña lay around in a coma — unforgivable even if her character is a doctor.
    Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Left.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/left. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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