: 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 Lacvillelet alone
2 of 2phrase
: to leave undisturbed
let the flowers alone
also
: to leave to oneself
wanted to be let alone
Examples of let alone in a Sentence
Conjunction
I don't have enough money for a new car, let alone a luxury sedan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
And the attorneys who are assigned are often spread thin and unable to provide quality representation, let alone peer support.
—Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
By cutting so much of Brontë’s sprawling novel down to the quick, by focusing so squarely on just Cathy and Heathcliff, we’re trapped only in the immediacy of their doomed affection, which is never allowed to be hot enough to make the entire effort come together, let alone come undone.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
Anyone who met them back then wouldn’t have imagined them spending even a few minutes together, let alone forming a lifelong bond.
—Andy Greene, VIBE.com, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for let alone
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Conjunction
Naumov, 24, was expected to be a long shot to even crack the top 10 at this year’s Olympics, let alone medal.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
And the attorneys who are assigned are often spread thin and unable to provide quality representation, let alone peer support.
—Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
By cutting so much of Brontë’s sprawling novel down to the quick, by focusing so squarely on just Cathy and Heathcliff, we’re trapped only in the immediacy of their doomed affection, which is never allowed to be hot enough to make the entire effort come together, let alone come undone.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
Anyone who met them back then wouldn’t have imagined them spending even a few minutes together, let alone forming a lifelong bond.
—Andy Greene, VIBE.com, 9 Feb. 2026
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 14 Feb. 2026.
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