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
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Free agent signing Isaiah Likely will help Dart in the passing game.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
Set in 1953 after the titular dictator’s passing, the film revels in the chaotic, messy, bumbling power struggle that ensues among figures like Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi) and Georgy Malenkov (Jeffrey Tambor).
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
But the Raiders lack a real threat in the passing game.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Free agent signing Isaiah Likely will help Dart in the passing game.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
At 6-foot-6 with interior scoring and passing skills, Fam could become more than just a complementary piece, and maybe a star in her own right.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
Set in 1953 after the titular dictator’s passing, the film revels in the chaotic, messy, bumbling power struggle that ensues among figures like Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi) and Georgy Malenkov (Jeffrey Tambor).
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
Traffic through the strait was below 10% of its usual volume Thursday, with only seven ships passing through in a 24-hour period, Reuters reported.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 9 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
-
In their affidavit filed in court, officers paint Watson’s death as a drug deal gone wrong.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Her death is being investigated as a homicide.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Arthur would have looked very different had another actor played him, according to the filmmaker.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Over time, my relationship with my wife has become very difficult.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Democrats are aligning themselves with that mindset, handing Republicans the mantle of the AI-image party … and waiting for the backlash.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Using license plate data, police later located Bowen at an apartment complex in Plantation, where he was seen handing a bag resembling a firearm case to another man.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41, skipped a traditional airport photo op, instead departing in a convoy of vehicles without stopping to pose for the press.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
But with the brief resurgence of the run game, the run-stopping, athletic inside linebacker is a bit more crucial.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Edmundo Sosa made Rea pay for leaving a slider too much over the plate, his three-run home run putting Philadelphia ahead in the second.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The police report shows the pair was confronted, leaving the room with the valuables, by the hotel guest.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kentner said this was the third citizen initiative put on the ballot in Lakewood in the past decade, a sign the city needs to do a better job talking to its 156,000 residents before enacting big changes to land-use policy.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Morelle said the purpose of the hearings — another is scheduled for later this week in San Francisco — is to hear from election and voting rights experts and to build a roadmap for enacting election reforms after the midterms if Democrats regain control of the House.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When insurance adjusters examined the roadway where the crashes were happening, there were no obvious hazards—like faulty lighting or an especially steep grade—that could account for this newfound profusion.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Lots of factors and complications, and a trade even coming close to happening would mark a stark departure from how the team operated 14 months ago.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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