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
John Franklin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Critically, Villa’s left-back must show composure in possession during their build-up, where he is expected to stay deep, receive under pressure and provide a passing option, as shown here against Arsenal in January.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
The first installment finds John Wick retired from the death game and reeling from the tragic passing of his wife, Helen.
—Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Protests against the monarchy have been on the rise since Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, passing the crown to Charles.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
Second, the government cannot be allowed to consume a greater percentage of the economy and our hard work each passing year.
—John Franklin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Critically, Villa’s left-back must show composure in possession during their build-up, where he is expected to stay deep, receive under pressure and provide a passing option, as shown here against Arsenal in January.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
In a rare passing of the torch, Binoche takes the position from another woman, last year’s president Greta Gerwig.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
The first installment finds John Wick retired from the death game and reeling from the tragic passing of his wife, Helen.
—Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
Bowman secured the lead after passing Bubba Wallace, but a costly error on his part helped Larson capitalize and win the race.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Protests against the monarchy have been on the rise since Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, passing the crown to Charles.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
For Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the church camerlengo, or cardinal chamberlain (the official that manages the household of the pope), presided over the certification of death and the placement of the body in a coffin.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Pope Francis’ last words before his death on Monday were an expression of thanks to his personal nurse and caregiver, Massimiliano Strappetti, the Vatican revealed Tuesday while describing the 88-year-old pontiff’s final hours.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Miami closed to within 85-79 very late in the third, a stretch when Miami briefly gave the Cavs problems with their zone defense.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Press very firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Having been stung by handing O’Neil and his backroom staff long-term deals, only to sack them a few months later, Wolves will be reluctant to commit massive funds to extending Pereira’s deal on the back of just a few months’ work.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Monday’s three-hour finale opens with Grant still in the Dominican Republic after handing roses to Litia and Juliana last week and sending Zoe packing.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
What’s stopping organizations from reaping the benefits of AI right now?—
Jesse Todd,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
After stopping the vehicle, Jackson reportedly ran from the car with a gun in his hand, according to court records.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
McIlroy wasted a superb opening round with two careless double bogeys leaving him seven shots behind.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
But the moderates also emphasized that their vote for the final bill would hinge on Johnson’s ability to keep his word about leaving Medicaid benefits untouched.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The campaign included videos of the students re-enacting scenes from the film and posting them online with the hashtag #bacontopayson.—
Lori A Bashian Fox News,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Attaining Reimbursement Parity While states are making progress in enacting parity laws between telemedicine and in-hospital providers, the exact wording varies by state.—
Jason Povio,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
As recent Treasury price action shows, the real power shifts may be happening while America sleeps.—
Joel Shulman,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
When their initial attack proves to be so messy (a constantly shaking camera keeps both the audience and the baddies unclear of what’s really happening) that Danielle and some other heavy hitters can sneak away, their aims become fixated on her.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
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