as in flash
lasting only for a short time
his parents were willing to buy him a piano if he demonstrated that his interest in music was more than a passing fancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in death
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities
the precise moment of his passing was recorded by the machines at his bedside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in very
to a great degree
a passing strange turn of events
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in handing
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
could you please pass me the phone?
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in stopping
to come to an end
eventually, the storm passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in leaving
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 enacting
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 happening
to take place
and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in experiencing
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 uttering
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 refusing
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 flying
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of passing
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Ricky Pearsall, expected to be a key weapon in San Francisco’s passing game, led the way with 108 yards on four catches, including a 45-yard reception from Purdy.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
The death of Giorgio Armani marks the passing of one of Italy’s most influential fashion designers.
—Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
The improvements came in the passing attack, with wideout Javen Nicholas recording a career-best 11 catches for 122 yards, coming just one shy of tying Austin Duke’s program reception record of 12.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
New quarterback Geno Smith, who joined from the Seahawks in the offseason, threw for 362 yards against the Patriots, passing Dan Pastorini for the most passing yards in a Raiders debut.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Ricky Pearsall, expected to be a key weapon in San Francisco’s passing game, led the way with 108 yards on four catches, including a 45-yard reception from Purdy.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
And Herbert already had over 100 passing yards.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
The death of Giorgio Armani marks the passing of one of Italy’s most influential fashion designers.
—Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Jonathan Drouin’s brain and his passing ability were big pluses, but his one-timer and/or shot threat from the right circle was not.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
The improvements came in the passing attack, with wideout Javen Nicholas recording a career-best 11 catches for 122 yards, coming just one shy of tying Austin Duke’s program reception record of 12.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
What To Know A map shared by the NWS on Facebook showed a broad corridor of flash-flood risk spanning the Western states and Southern Plains.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The emerging miners, exposed directly to the flash during its first split second, were covered in flash-absorbing black.—
Charles Pellegrino,
Rolling Stone,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Leaders from around the world mourned the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk after he was assassinated at a Utah university Wednesday.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Advertisement ‘This is war’ Several on the right have likened Kirk’s death to a declaration of war.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The player known as Dan the Man during his playing days remains very active in a lot of different arenas.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Some like to get to the airport very early, with time for a full picnic, while others are dashing in at the last minute while downing a protein bar.—
Jessie Beck,
AFAR Media,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Pass this newsletter to a friend — like handing them a bottle of ice-cold water during a marathon.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The department is warning people to be vigilant and to avoid handing their devices to strangers.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To my surprise, Gary Friedman, the CEO and visionary behind the brand, was in the restaurant, casually moving between tables and greeting guests before graciously stopping at ours.—
Erica Wertheim Zohar,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
One video was a loop showing the moment of impact in slow-motion, stopping before blood is seen.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The world might end up ruled by large technology companies that impose their solutions throughout entire continents, leaving little space for homegrown creativity.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Many travelers like to take that whole week off, leaving the weekend before Christmas.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With only a tiny tax-credit ESA program, Missouri has lagged behind other red states in enacting robust school-choice policies.—
Kerry McDonald,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Little wonder authoritarian states were spurred by the Arab Spring into enacting draconian internet controls.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Killings related to domestic violence are making headlines and families and friends of the victims are speaking out in an effort to bring awareness to these incidents that are happening too frequently.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Operations need help figuring out what’s happening within an environment.—
Ronak Desai,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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