1
as in hands
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
could you please pass me the phone?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in stops
to come to an end
eventually, the storm passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in leaves
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
pass your forms to the department head once they're filled out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in enacts
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
Congress cannot pass any law restricting free speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in happens
to take place
and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in undergoes
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in utters
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
he'll occasionally pass some insightful comment, but in general he doesn't have much to contribute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in refuses
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
we appreciate the invitation to the party, but we'll have to pass I'll pass on the coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in flies
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in canyons
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
a mountain pass that was impassable during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in routes
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
take the second pass on the right
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in tickets
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in accomplishments
the state of being actual or complete
eventually, all their career goals came to pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of passes
Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
After the deadline passes, no new candidates may enter the race or withdraw their declarations.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Both passes offer seven-day access to several European resorts each season, and the Ikon Pass has even more options across Europe.
—Erik Buckingham, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
If the bill passes, and the FAA approves the name change, hundreds of aviation navigational charts, air traffic control documentation and airline avionics computer codes that allow pilots to safely operate aircraft might have to be changed to reflect the new name.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
If the item passes, the refund is released to the shopper.
—Peter Sadera, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Over his eight-year career, Kuechly led all linebackers in the NFL in tackles (1,090), takeaways (26), interceptions (18) and passes defensed (66).
—Josh Dubow, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
My Grandmother's Go-To Seasoning Now, every family tends to have a seasoning that gets used the most, and it often can be traced back to the relative who passes down recipes and makes the meanest pimiento cheese in town.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
And as time passes, manufacturer incentives fade away.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
God storms American politics Single-day general admission tickets are $145, while weekend passes are $249 and weekend VIP passes are $409.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Seven quarterbacks completed at least 65 percent of their passes.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
His teams like to control the ball and build up with plenty of passes, while ensuring they are set up to pounce on the counter-press and win the ball back high up the pitch.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Prepaid parking passes are for one regular 12-foot by 18-foot parking space.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Higher peaks and mountain passes could receive between 6 and 12 inches of snow, while some Sierra resorts may see 12 to 18 inches by the time the system moves out.
—Conor McGill, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Skip passes are leaving his hand earlier.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Beach members receive exclusive benefits, including early entry on weekdays, a 10% discount at Centennial Grill, two guest passes and coupons for other park district amenities.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Weather Service also said in its daily forecast discussion that a change in the current dry, mild weather pattern is coming toward the end of next week as a weak system passes mainly through Oregon and Washington.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
After the deadline passes, no new candidates may enter the race or withdraw their declarations.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Both passes offer seven-day access to several European resorts each season, and the Ikon Pass has even more options across Europe.
—Erik Buckingham, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
If the bill passes, and the FAA approves the name change, hundreds of aviation navigational charts, air traffic control documentation and airline avionics computer codes that allow pilots to safely operate aircraft might have to be changed to reflect the new name.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
If the item passes, the refund is released to the shopper.
—Peter Sadera, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Over his eight-year career, Kuechly led all linebackers in the NFL in tackles (1,090), takeaways (26), interceptions (18) and passes defensed (66).
—Josh Dubow, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
My Grandmother's Go-To Seasoning Now, every family tends to have a seasoning that gets used the most, and it often can be traced back to the relative who passes down recipes and makes the meanest pimiento cheese in town.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
And as time passes, manufacturer incentives fade away.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
Travel through passes and canyons could become dangerous, and be alert for rock slides and mud slides.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
God storms American politics Single-day general admission tickets are $145, while weekend passes are $249 and weekend VIP passes are $409.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Seven quarterbacks completed at least 65 percent of their passes.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
His teams like to control the ball and build up with plenty of passes, while ensuring they are set up to pounce on the counter-press and win the ball back high up the pitch.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Prepaid parking passes are for one regular 12-foot by 18-foot parking space.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Higher peaks and mountain passes could receive between 6 and 12 inches of snow, while some Sierra resorts may see 12 to 18 inches by the time the system moves out.
—Conor McGill, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Skip passes are leaving his hand earlier.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Beach members receive exclusive benefits, including early entry on weekdays, a 10% discount at Centennial Grill, two guest passes and coupons for other park district amenities.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passes
Verb
-
The artist then walks over and hands Lincoln what appears to be a Grammy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Linden grabs a bottle of water from our minifridge and hands it to me.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the death certificate from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, obtained by Rolling Stone, O’Hara’s immediate cause of death was a pulmonary embolism (a clot that stops blood from flowing to an artery in the lung).—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In between dancing and singing and falling backward in the hands of fellow performers, Bad Bunny stops at what looks like a bar on set to get a drink from none other than Brooklyn’s legendary owner of one of the last surviving Puerto Rican social clubs in New York City.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the last few seconds, the black holes whirl around each other at near the speed of light, emitting ever more powerful gravitational waves until the two actually merge, combining in one gluttonous gulp that leaves behind a single, more massive black hole.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Modern systems, including those from ADT, offer smart features that detect when your mobile device leaves a preset boundary (geofence) around your home.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What Senate Bill 1 says about citizenship Senate Bill 1 makes changes to state law that comply with the new federal law and enacts several layers of reporting non-citizens to the federal government.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Mauritanian survivor Koumba Diabaté enacts a beat-for-beat recreation of his Casino Royale fantasies in the Imperial Sky Villa of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
India is the planet’s third-biggest climate polluter and what happens here affects everyone.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
So whatever happens in their next game, Thiesse will become the first American woman ever to win a curling medal.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Surveys show trust in the agencies Kennedy leads is falling, rather than rising, as the country’s health landscape undergoes dramatic change.—
Ali Swenson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
-
If a Norwegian baby undergoes a long hospitalization due to complications from RSV, the only thing their parents have to worry about is their sick baby.—
Ariana Hendrix,
STAT,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The phrase also sometimes is used as a battle cry and has been employed by those with a nefarious agenda to instill fear of anyone who utters it and to raise concerns about Islam itself, according to Muslim scholars and civil rights advocates.—
Michelle Krupa,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Falduto utters the words as his character Billy to Dewey, playing the opinionated student who becomes the stylist for the band.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
If at a certain point the person refuses to cooperate, recruiters resort to blackmail, Andriy said, threatening to hand over the correspondence to the SBU.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Nearly six years later, Donovan still refuses to feed into this narrative surrounding his exit from Oklahoma City and his expectations in Chicago.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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