left-handed 1 of 2

adjective

ˈleft-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce left-handed (audio)
Definition of left-handednext
1
as in clumsy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands I'd rather have no help at all than have his left-handed "assistance"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in double
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express failed to realize that he had received a left-handed compliment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

left-handed

2 of 2

adverb

as in counterclockwise

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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-handed
Adjective
The Dodgers will need a left-handed bat off the bench in October, but Rushing now has competition. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 42nd homer to match the Cubs record for a left-handed batter and finished with four hits and four RBIs to power Chicago past the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Monday night. — CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 Paragloborotalia siakensis changed from mixed to left-handed coiling 15 million years ago. — Quanta Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026 The left-handed-hitting Salas, 20, is 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in his two appearances in games so far. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for left-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for left-handed
  1. clumsy
  2. double
  3. counterclockwise
  4. awkward
  5. fake
  6. handless
  7. lip
  8. backhanded
Adjective
  • One of the clumsiest parts of Klosterman’s book is his attempts at political punditry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Feed your head Neagley gets off to a sluggish start, with a workmanlike, rather clumsy first episode largely spent establishing the main characters and central plot—and the writers lean a bit too hard on constant Chicago callbacks.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • But this is an album that’s apparently about the artist’s double life, and the questions that are bound to be at the forefront of any curious listener’s mind go unaddressed.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • To [React with exaggerated surprise] is to DO A DOUBLE TAKE — as in, to take out double letters (not consecutive ones, mind you).
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of double
Adverb
  • Alex Wix, who has traveled extensively around Iceland by car and plans private itineraries through her company, Wixsquared, recommends driving it counterclockwise.
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Complete 10 circles clockwise and 10 circles counterclockwise.
    — RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 24 June 2026
Definition of counterclockwise
Adjective
  • The happy reunion is actually a bit awkward and tense at first.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Grappling with how the world has molded you, and how that manifests in life, in love, and in your day job, can be an awkward process.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of awkward
Adjective
  • The fake blooms lined the sweeping curves that curled across the arena floor.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Chastain goes for broke with melodrama as both the real and fake Mommies.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • Two brothers were arrested this week on murder charges in connection to a 1997 Michigan cold case in which a man's headless and handless body was found in a cornfield, authorities said.
    — Erin Pflaumer, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2023
  • Twenty-five years after authorities discovered a headless and handless man in a Michigan cornfield, arrests have been made in connection to the grisly murder.
    — Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2023
Definition of handless
Adjective
  • Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.
    — Essence, Essence, 23 Nov. 2025
Definition of lip
Adjective
  • Only days earlier, Mays had given what could be perceived as a backhanded compliment.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • After corralling a loose puck along the boards, Hughes spun away from the blue line to keep the play onside, then feathered a backhanded pass into open ice with just the right amount of touch to set up Nico Sturm for a goal that tied the game.
    — Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 12 May 2026
Definition of backhanded

Browse Nearby Words

left
left-handed
left-handedly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Left-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/left-handed. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nexus

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All