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
Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Veach also pointed to upside the Chiefs believe Walker has in the passing game.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
At one end, the Lakers were perfectly executing, the 41-year-old James becoming the oldest player to have 13 assists in a playoff game, Deandre Ayton missing only two of 10 shots inside, so much nifty passing, so many open looks.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
Since the start of the war, Iran has blocked ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for not only oil but also fertilizer, sending costs upward for farmers.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
The inclement weather was a factor early with slick footballs impacting the passing game, but the group’s spirits remained high.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Veach also pointed to upside the Chiefs believe Walker has in the passing game.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
The series struggled with its storytelling after Canto’s passing, and ratings declined to a cancellation level in the fourth season.
—Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
At one end, the Lakers were perfectly executing, the 41-year-old James becoming the oldest player to have 13 assists in a playoff game, Deandre Ayton missing only two of 10 shots inside, so much nifty passing, so many open looks.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
The drawings, too, evolved, passing from hand to hand.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
Since the start of the war, Iran has blocked ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for not only oil but also fertilizer, sending costs upward for farmers.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 23 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
-
Hitler comes to power; Lajos, by now a regional administrator, reluctantly carries out the Nazis’ orders, consigning the local Jewish population to death; Ilona and her husband flee to America by way of Switzerland.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Ragnars plays Freya, the child’s mother, described as an unrelenting presence who launches her own investigation when the village begins to accept the deaths as acts of the Gods.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
No, that stuff is all incredible and very much the result of good fortune in my career.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
What a treat to have both of these very different revivals opening on Broadway in a matter of days.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Federal prosecutors said someone would collect the drugs from the drone before handing them over to the buyers.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
But there is also a suspicion among defense chiefs, amplified by Robertson, that the Treasury dislikes handing money to the Ministry of Defense (MoD) due to the latter's various procurement mishaps.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Let’s imagine—in a case of truly terrible architectural planning—that there is only one extremely slow elevator, stopping at each floor and taking one minute per floor.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Schools brought in counselors for the victims’ young classmates and community leaders called for a citywide reckoning on stopping domestic violence.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Cubs stranded a season-high 17 runners on base Tuesday, their first win when leaving at least 17 on base since June 2, 2018, and their first at Wrigley Field since July 3, 2010 (both also had 17 LOB).—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
His original boss, national security adviser Mike Waltz, was booted to the United Nations after the Signalgate scandal, leaving the role to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was already juggling portfolios and is busier now with Iran.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Board member Allen Zeman also asked if Hepburn could bring back a proposal that would cut 200 more jobs, although board members only committed to reviewing it, not enacting it.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
-
After phones at the facility allegedly stopped working on April 2, detainees began to complain, and attorney Katherine Blankenship alleged her clients told her that guards responded by threatening violence and then enacting violence on detainees, per court docs obtained by PEOPLE.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though such meetings between rulers have been happening for centuries, they have been formalized in the modern era, and contemporary state visits usually follow a predictable pattern.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The event, happening through April 27, is the ideal time to invest in high-quality seasonal bedding thanks to the thousands of discounts on comforters, quilts, sheets, and pillows.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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