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
C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
If a patient’s water breaks or her cervix opens, that risk rises with every passing hour.
—CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Ece Yildirim, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2025
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
Dolly Parton made her return to the public eye this week, and honored her late husband Carl Dean during her first appearance since his passing.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
With each passing week, the scale of his impact only becomes more apparent.
—Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
In one year, Ward not only had the single-best passing season in Hurricanes history but made an UM team that went 7-6 in 2023 relevant.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
If a patient’s water breaks or her cervix opens, that risk rises with every passing hour.
—CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
Here's what to avoid Google and Apple were hit over the Digital Markets Act, a landmark European antitrust law that addresses anti-competitive practices in the tech industry and has been targeting the top big tech companies since its passing in 2022.
—Ece Yildirim, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2025
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
Dolly Parton made her return to the public eye this week, and honored her late husband Carl Dean during her first appearance since his passing.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
And the dream that Forest could possibly secure a return to Europe for the first time in nearly 30 years is becoming more vivid with each passing week.
—Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
With each passing week, the scale of his impact only becomes more apparent.
—Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
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
-
His cause of death is currently undetermined, as an autopsy has not been completed.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Finn is hardly the first to cast doubt on the official narrative of Morrison’s death.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Williams seems to have fundamentally misunderstood the novel, or at the very least to have only a diluted grasp of it.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
-
But the Chargers should be adding at least one more quarterback, at the very minimum as a camp body.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But the Packers drafted him in the first round and gave him a few years to sit behind Aaron Rodgers before handing Love the keys.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
-
There are also plenty of trade possibilities should the Twins decide to avoid handing the job to Miranda.—
Aaron Gleeman,
The Athletic,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The director led the way past Dig HQ, past the two lichen-shaggy standing stones in the garden, and down a slope to Structure 27, Tam running ahead and stopping at the edge of the trench.—
Peter Ross,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Jan. 2025
-
What’s stopping organizations from reaping the benefits of AI right now?—
Jesse Todd,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Jenner also attended the afterparty of the Los Angeles A Complete Unknown premiere in December, mingling with her beau’s co-stars and leaving the function with him hand-in-hand.—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
After leaving office, Loeffler sold her 50% stake in the basketball team to an investor group that included one of the former players who had spoken out most prominently.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Carter asked Davis to come out of retirement—again—to help lead the process of enacting the speed limit into law and supporting its nationwide promotion.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
-
The law is in response to several California school districts enacting policies that require teachers to let parents know if their child identifies with a gender other than what is listed on their school record.—
Acacia Squires,
NPR,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
My brother, Alan, saw what was happening.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
4 Jan. 2025
-
What's happening with the new race to the moon and other planets?—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
4 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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