Synonyms of left

left 1 of 2

noun

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

• liberalism
• left wing
• leftism
• socialism
• neoliberalism
• radicalism

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• right
• conservatism
• immobilism
• illiberalism
• neoconservatism

left

2 of 2

verb

past tense of leave

1

as in abandoned

to cause to remain behind

you can leave your lunch in the refrigerator while we're outside

starry-eyed lovers who promise never to leave one another

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abandoned
• stranded
• deserted
• dumped
• quit
• ignored
• marooned
• escaped
• discarded
• flung
• forgot
• forsook
• walked away from
• relinquished
• shed
• vacated
• walked out on
• withdrew (from)
• scrapped
• ditched
• rejected
• separated (from)
• surrendered
• sacrificed
• delivered
• cut off
• jettisoned
• retreated (from)
• handed over
• threw away
• renounced
• neglected
• junked
• gave up
• yielded
• took off (from)
• threw out
• shucked (off)
• repudiated
• disregarded
• disowned
• abjured
• distanced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• had
• kept
• held
• retained
• owned
• reserved
• possessed
• withheld
• reclaimed
• saved
• harbored
• rescued
• redeemed

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

• bequeathed
• willed
• passed (down)
• deeded
• handed down
• devised
• handed on

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

• quit
• abandoned
• resigned (from)
• retired (from)
• vacated
• gave notice
• chucked
• bagged
• stepped down (from)
• stepped aside (from)
• dropped out (of)
• threw up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stayed (at)
• hired (out or on)

4

as in handed

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another

why don't you leave your watch with me while you swim?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• handed
• transferred
• gave
• entrusted
• passed
• delivered
• delegated
• relinquished
• transmitted
• granted
• recommended
• committed
• consigned
• confided
• vested
• turned over
• loaned
• trusted
• handed over
• commended
• divided
• assigned
• submitted
• bequeathed
• distributed
• lent
• gave over
• reposed
• conferred
• dispensed
• supplied
• dispersed
• surrendered
• dealt (out)
• turned in
• furnished
• handed down
• released
• yielded
• willed
• handed in
• advanced
• handed on
• retransferred
• recommitted
• redelivered
• retransmitted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• held
• kept
• retained
• reserved
• received
• owned
• withheld
• possessed
• accepted
• took
• occupied
• detained
• held back
• took in
• took over

5

as in dumped

to end a usually intimate relationship with

is there ever a good way to leave a lover?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dumped
• ditched
• abandoned
• cut
• jilted
• blew off
• broke off (with)
• kissed off
• deserted
• kissed good-bye
• snubbed
• marooned
• brushed (aside or off)
• slighted
• forsook
• cold-shouldered
• quit
• high-hatted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• took
• hooked up (with)
• befriended
• latched (on or onto)

6

as in allowed

to give permission to

aw, leave him come

Synonyms & Similar Words

• allowed
• permitted
• let
• authorized
• approved
• empowered
• licensed
• liberated
• endorsed
• commissioned
• sanctioned
• freed
• indulged
• released
• catered (to)
• gave in (to)
• humored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prohibited
• forbade
• enjoined
• discouraged
• prevented
• blocked
• constrained
• barred
• frustrated
• inhibited
• impeded
• deterred
• obstructed
• held back
• curbed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of left

Noun

Lafrenière is a left shot, but Sullivan was hesitant to play him on the left last year. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Stuttering lines, on the left, jerking up and down, denote the rattle of guns; on the right, the lines are all but flat, as silence descends. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

On a sweep run to the left to running back Jaydon Blue, Overshown flew through the running lane and was cut off by fullback Hunter Luepke. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026

The controversial billionaire tax won the backing of the California Democratic Party on Sunday, the latest twist in the drama surrounding a measure that has roiled the left and its allies. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing left

• left wing