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
Mac Allister got there first, but his scuffed clearance only fell to Mainoo, who calmly passed the ball into the net.
—
Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 May 2026
The plane's approach to the runway passed directly over the New Jersey Turnpike, a busy highway that's also designated as Interstate 95 through much of the state.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 4 May 2026
For the first time, a bill to ban semi-automatic rifles with features like pistol grips and detachable magazines has passed a major floor vote in the state Legislature.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
The likeliest atmospheric chemicals are methane, nitrogen or carbon monoxide, any of which could reproduce the observed dimming as the object passed before the star, according to Arimatsu.
—CBS News, 4 May 2026
Senate Bill 150 passed the House Monday on a 39-26 vote.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
Two Southwest Airlines jets passed within 500 vertical feet of each other over Nashville on April 18.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Last month, the possible 2028 presidential hopeful vetoed a bill that had passed the state legislature with the support of all but one lawmaker.
—Tyler Lamensky, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
Later that year, the Legislature passed the Wekiva River Protection Act.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 May 2026
The plane's approach to the runway passed directly over the New Jersey Turnpike, a busy highway that's also designated as Interstate 95 through much of the state.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 4 May 2026
For the first time, a bill to ban semi-automatic rifles with features like pistol grips and detachable magazines has passed a major floor vote in the state Legislature.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
The likeliest atmospheric chemicals are methane, nitrogen or carbon monoxide, any of which could reproduce the observed dimming as the object passed before the star, according to Arimatsu.
—CBS News, 4 May 2026
Senate Bill 150 passed the House Monday on a 39-26 vote.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
Two Southwest Airlines jets passed within 500 vertical feet of each other over Nashville on April 18.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Last month, the possible 2028 presidential hopeful vetoed a bill that had passed the state legislature with the support of all but one lawmaker.
—Tyler Lamensky, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
Later that year, the Legislature passed the Wekiva River Protection Act.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed
Verb
-
Patrick, who framed it as a moral choice, handed the decision to Mira.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Courage defender Felicitas Rauch was handed a straight red card in second half stoppage time for violent conduct on Haley Hopkins.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
But Crenshaw’s own essay, on the hip-hop group 2 Live Crew, stopped short of calling for censorship.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Yet the eye-rolling has stopped.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
In this particular case, legal justification will flow through China's Anti-Monopoly Law, first enacted in 2008 and strengthened through amendments in 2022, and originally presented as a mechanism to ensure fair market competition.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
With overwhelming bipartisan support, Indiana enacted one of the most comprehensive state-level national security laws in the country.—
Joe Gebbia Sr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 7, according to the Tribune’s archives.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
This even happened in Venice, during the couple’s wedding celebrations.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The passengers left the ship and entered the United States before the outbreak was identified, said officials, and have not experienced any symptoms.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
People who have weakened immune systems and who experienced intense pain during an initial outbreak are also more susceptible to getting shingles a second (or even third) time.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The reference, for those who don’t closely follow conservative news sources, was to a line Obama uttered in 2012.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
1 May 2026
-
But the company line on Sunday — uttered by everyone from the man who made the decision (Craig Breslow) to new manager Chad Tracy and 21-year-old Roman Anthony, whom Breslow has asked to help extricate this franchise from the ashes — was that these Red Sox have 135 games to right the ship.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During the last art Biennale, Israel’s participating artist Ruth Patir refused to open the show at the national Pavilion, saying the doors would remain shut until a hostage agreement and ceasefire deal in Gaza were reached.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
But the reserves refused to cooperate with that notion.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The Australian policy of refusing to allow boat arrivals to settle has largely ended people smuggling from Southeast Asian ports in rickety fishing boats that had once thrived.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
In 2023, Florida illegally ended Medicaid coverage for almost 500,000 recipients, primarily pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
