The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word REMAINED
R
E
M
A
I
N
E
D
More clues leading to the result REMAINED
- Around US state, Marxist stayed
- Principal in rush didn’t move
- Band-aid covered knee evenly and lasted
- Survived Communist state intervention
- Around New England state, communist stayed
- I refuse to return, admitting mum was left
- Hiding in grass, chief stayed put
- Endured socialist going over state of America
- Continued glowing over US state
- Chief in plant didn’t resign?
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "was left" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case was left = remained.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does REMAINED mean?
REMAINED verb- To stay behind while others withdraw; to be left after others have been removed or destroyed; to be left after a number or quantity has been subtracted or cut off; to be left as not included or comprised.
- To continue unchanged in place, form, or condition, or undiminished in quantity; to abide; to stay; to endure; to last.
- To await; to be left to.
- To continue in a state of being.