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
Dan Robson, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The former Nebraska walk-on played a key role in lifting A&M's 30th-ranked rushing attack and made crucial plays in the passing game, including the go-ahead touchdown against Notre Dame.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Reed, who was named the Dallas Renegades’ starting quarterback this week, broke the UFL regular season single-game passing record with a 376-yard performance.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
All this clutter was welcome evidence of time passing, of her avid scholarship, and of a noble disinterest in washing dishes.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
Any passing acknowledgement from the NHL’s most iconic best friends would do.
—Dan Robson, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The former Nebraska walk-on played a key role in lifting A&M's 30th-ranked rushing attack and made crucial plays in the passing game, including the go-ahead touchdown against Notre Dame.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
The redshirt junior finished second nationally last season with 3,973 passing yards and was tied for second with 34 touchdowns while leading Duke to an Atlantic Coast Conference championship.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Reed, who was named the Dallas Renegades’ starting quarterback this week, broke the UFL regular season single-game passing record with a 376-yard performance.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
After passing behind the moon, NASA estimates that the crew’s return trip will take about four days.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
All this clutter was welcome evidence of time passing, of her avid scholarship, and of a noble disinterest in washing dishes.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
The heaviest rain has shifted eastward, with the island of Molokai under a flash-flood warning on Sunday.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Kansas City will go from springlike warmth to winter fast as a powerful storm sweeps through Sunday, bringing damaging winds, a rapid temperature plunge with flash-freeze risk, and a quick burst of snow that could cut visibility, according to the National Weather Service.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The abnormality has also been linked to deaths in the National Football League and in other sports such as hockey and soccer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Nancy Metayer Bowen was a politically-ambitious trailblazer for a new generation of Haitian Americans in South Florida before her tragic death, which is being criminally investigated, was announced Wednesday.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Bartle may have been right, but for some Chiefs fans and stadium developers with billions of public dollars at stake, that state line probably feels very real.—
Elijah Winkler,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The right-hander walked two before handing the game to the bullpen.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Jets left winger Kyle Connor scored 33 seconds into overtime, handing the Hawks their fourth consecutive defeat.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Brooke Bereuter was masterful in goal for Grapevine shutting out Argyle (18-4-3) until the shootout, including stopping a key penalty kick in the first half.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And on Monday, March 30, the court upheld the stay, effectively stopping any chance that the execution would happen as scheduled.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cotter received a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference, and Shesterkin and Markström were given two-minute penalties for leaving the crease and five minutes for fighting.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Lee Ginsberg is leaving film and television public relations firm Ginsberg / Libby to become an independent awards consultant.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The data comes as Japan grapples with the fallout from the Iran war, with the country releasing oil stockpiles and enacting fuel subsidies to stave off the worst of the energy shock from the closed Strait of Hormuz.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In reality however — and sadly — this structure gave way to constant battles and micromanagement, often preventing the mayor from improving the system and enacting any real change.—
Dennis Walcott,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What is happening here is human destruction.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The mental health system is largely crisis-driven, with interventions happening in response to an emergency need.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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