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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of passing
Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Fundamentally with every passing season under this new ownership Liam every die hard Chelsea fan are frustratingly & grudgingly realising that Chelsea as a successful winning top European club is now history.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Enforcement won't kick in until next spring, but the service provider may have banned Mr. Deepfakes in response to the passing of the law.
—Ashley Belanger – May 5, ArsTechnica, 5 May 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
But this was a more technical side, based around slick passing and clever interplay in the final third.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Fundamentally with every passing season under this new ownership Liam every die hard Chelsea fan are frustratingly & grudgingly realising that Chelsea as a successful winning top European club is now history.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
Since Bruce’s passing, his adult children have taken on a bigger role in the company and steward the values that made White Lodging successful, including serving on the Board of Directors, and such as Conner White serving as Chief Investment Officer.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Enforcement won't kick in until next spring, but the service provider may have banned Mr. Deepfakes in response to the passing of the law.
—Ashley Belanger – May 5, ArsTechnica, 5 May 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
-
Here's what to know about the death of Skype, including more information on why Microsoft decided to pull the plug.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
While Babbitt’s death was viewed as a direct consequence of her own actions by many, the 36-year-old Air Force veteran became a martyr to MAGA loyalists.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2025
Adverb
-
Artwork can always be colorful, even in a very neutral room.—
Eleni N. Gage,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
-
Rhythm is very important in my stories and the slightest second too long can disrupt this rhythm.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
14 May 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
-
That means that any sudden car movements – stopping, accelerating, or turning – could cause the tires to skid on top of the snow.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
-
It can also be caused by significant stress, surgery, or stopping birth control pills.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Everyone is understandably thrilled for McIlroy, and everyone has been leaving their congratulations for him throughout the evening.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
As companies begin to pull back on orders, which is happening already amid the uncertainty related to overseas manufacturing costs and domestic consumer demand, lower supply will potentially serve as a force sending prices higher.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The most significant innovation in labor may now be happening in the shift economy—in hospitals, retail stores, and restaurants—among workers who never had the option to work from home.—
Nirit Cohen,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share