1
as in handed
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
could you please pass me the phone?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in stopped
to come to an end
eventually, the storm passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in left
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 enacted
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 happened
to take place
and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in experienced
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 uttered
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 refused
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 flew
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of passed
About 20% of global oil supplies passed through the waterway before the war.
—
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
But there was no finger pointing, no blame passed.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Almost one month has passed since a ticket sold in Arkansas hit for $251 million on March 2.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Florida passed a similar law in 2023.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Political experts have also pointed out that Proposition 50 passed with a wide margin, with 64% of of voters approving the measure, so the investigation wouldn't have any impact on the results.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
This month, Wisconsin legislators passed a college sports NIL bill that includes a sweeping public records exemption, which transparency advocates say would effectively conceal most financial records of an athletic department.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Mar. 2026
California’s new law — and the state’s huge buying power — could help expand its adoption nationwide, said state Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, who sponsored the legislation passed in 2024.
—CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
More than half the states in the country have already passed autonomous vehicle regulations.
—John Seng, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
But there was no finger pointing, no blame passed.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Almost one month has passed since a ticket sold in Arkansas hit for $251 million on March 2.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Florida passed a similar law in 2023.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Political experts have also pointed out that Proposition 50 passed with a wide margin, with 64% of of voters approving the measure, so the investigation wouldn't have any impact on the results.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
This month, Wisconsin legislators passed a college sports NIL bill that includes a sweeping public records exemption, which transparency advocates say would effectively conceal most financial records of an athletic department.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Mar. 2026
California’s new law — and the state’s huge buying power — could help expand its adoption nationwide, said state Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, who sponsored the legislation passed in 2024.
—CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
More than half the states in the country have already passed autonomous vehicle regulations.
—John Seng, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed
Verb
-
In fact, the questioning of Chalker was part of a postmortem examination of a misstep by the case officer who had handed him the key.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The message was handed to the party’s head, Sheikh Hammam Hamoudi, by the Iranian ambassador to Iraq during a meeting.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His words were underscored when police in Israel stopped Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, built on the spot where Jesus was thought to have been crucified.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Right away, the Bruins allowed point-blank chances to Zach Werenski and Boone Jenner in the opening minutes that Swayman stopped.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The key language in the amendment was also included in citizenship laws enacted in 1940 and 1952.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The ban was previously enacted in 2009 after a resident was mauled by a pitbull.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The most recent deadly chase happened in Pomona on Wednesday night.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Hernandez said he was encouraged by recent meetings with Republican members of Congress from his home state, Florida, but worries other priorities will drown out the bill, as has happened in the past.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The junior trio of Solo Ball, Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart experienced the 2024 national championship run courtside, too, but none played more than seven minutes at the Final Four.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Then there are the many other times the participants may have experienced a strong emotion without actually crying.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One friend uttered an expletive after taking a bite of the super-tasty, uber-tender steak, and soon after, the meat disappeared.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Today, Anthropic is so big, so powerful, that every word uttered by its CEO is a potential news story.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the process, the Bulls refused to shut down players such as center Jalen Smith, who finally was shut down for the season this week after reaggravating a calf injury once again in Wednesday’s game.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The woman refused any more information and was placed in the women’s ward.—
Kevin Foster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Oh, and after a Collins strikeout finally ended the streak in the sixth, Isbel promptly led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
According to Max Preps, the JSerra Lions ended the 2025 season with a 3-7 record and went 0-5 in the Trinity League against powerhouse like Mater Dei.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
