pass 1 of 3

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as in to hand
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another could you please pass me the phone?

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as in to undergo
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it a presidential candidate who doesn't yet know how it feels to pass the scrutiny of the national press

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as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass

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pass

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noun (1)

pass

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noun (2)

1
as in ticket
a small sheet of plastic, paper, or paperboard showing that the bearer has a claim to something (as admittance) a pass to leave the military base for the weekend

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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 pass
Verb
The House passed the legislation in a 122-26 vote on June 2 and the Senate passed the bill in a 31-5 vote on May 21. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 July 2025 Last month, Google’s search services were the first Big Tech product to be targeted under the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which was passed last year. Tim Bradshaw, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2025
Noun
Sovacool said 33 players had at least one pass reception and 28 had an interception. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025 Branch saw Prescott start his throwing motion and immediately sank back to pick off the pass. Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass
Verb
  • Earlier that month, Dobie students, teachers and families learned the district is considering closing their 51-year-old campus or handing it over to a charter operator in the fall as a preemptive measure to stave off severe state sanctions.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Oswego County locals say the sheriff’s patrol is stopping Latino drivers for minor or unprovable violations, then handing them over to Border Patrol.
    Mina Aguilar, New York Daily News, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Shortly after Braun’s executive order, the Indiana Department of Health told local health departments to stop accepting requests to change genders on birth certificates.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
  • Maybe those who listen slavishly to Trump and read The Wall Street Journal will stop—all 12 of them.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, the ground will subside, leaving behind a crater about 1,000 feet deep and nearly 2 miles across where Oak Flat and its religious and environmental significance now stand.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 30 July 2025
  • Where shopping secondhand reduces the amount of clothing sent to the landfill every year, buying new clothing modeled after 2000s trends leaves real vintage clothes to go to waste.
    Molly Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Who won Power of Veto on ‘Big Brother’? Keanu enacted his power, which allowed a former houseguest to come in and play in the Power of Veto competition for him.
    David Wysong, The Enquirer, 24 July 2025
  • The proposal remains speculative, with no plans or legislation enacted since then.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Pluribus did this by simulating what might happen in the game after making different choices.
    Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
  • John McCook said his father and grandparents were glad that Boyd talked to them about what happened.
    Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Downtown has undergone a building boom since the early 2000s, with dozens of new high-rise office, residential, hotel and mixed-use projects built or currently under construction.
    Shonda Novak, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Sitting on just shy of 3.5 acres, the grandiose 1920s home underwent a meticulous three-year renovation by architect Ira Grandberg but retains a charming, old-world feel.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • And yet, nearly half report difficulty staying productive on the road (46%), and half say business travel negatively affects their well-being (50%).
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Caiden and the injured passenger were taken to a local hospital where Caiden died, officials said.
    David Chiu, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The ad has been slammed by some online as a Nazi-like pro-eugenics racist propaganda, while others have cheered the company and actress for refusing to apologize in the wake of social media outrage, which many view as a bad-faith take on something that’s meant to be playful.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
  • Yet, despite urgent calls to evacuate, numerous passengers fumble with overhead compartments, refusing to leave their carry-ons behind.
    Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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