let alone
conjunction
: to say nothing of : not to mention
—used especially to emphasize the improbability of a contrasting example
he would never walk again let alone play golf—
Sports Illus.
Sports Illus.how many ever see an Ambassador or Minister, let alone a President—Robert Lacville
Robert LacvilleExamples of let alone in a Sentence
I don't have enough money for a new car, let alone a luxury sedan.
Recent Examples on the Web
There were doubts Florida would ever consistently make the playoffs, let alone be annual Stanley Cup contenders.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
The bottom line is that Elon Musk will land a man on Mars before Healey takes one small step, let alone a leap, to mellow towards Trump.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 29 May 2025
The Borussia Dortmund team that prevailed in 1997 were probably the last first-time winners for whom the Champions League hadn’t been talked about much as a possibility for years before, let alone regarded as some sort of destiny.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Yet many people are unable to reach the centers on foot, let alone carry 45-pound packages containing a week’s worth of supplies.
—Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for let alone
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.
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
The bottom line is that Elon Musk will land a man on Mars before Healey takes one small step, let alone a leap, to mellow towards Trump.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 29 May 2025
The Borussia Dortmund team that prevailed in 1997 were probably the last first-time winners for whom the Champions League hadn’t been talked about much as a possibility for years before, let alone regarded as some sort of destiny.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Yet many people are unable to reach the centers on foot, let alone carry 45-pound packages containing a week’s worth of supplies.
—Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for let alone
Cite this Entry
“Let alone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20alone. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share