pass 1 of 3

verb

ˈpas How to pronounce pass (audio)
Definition of passnext
1
as in to hand
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another could you please pass me the phone?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to stop
to come to an end eventually, the storm passed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to leave
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another pass your forms to the department head once they're filled out

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4
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action Congress cannot pass any law restricting free speech

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5
as in to happen
to take place and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted

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6
as in to undergo
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

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7
as in to say
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

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8
as in to refuse
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

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9
as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass

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pass

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage a mountain pass that was impassable during the winter

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2
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel take the second pass on the right

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pass

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
as in ticket
a small sheet of plastic, paper, or paperboard showing that the bearer has a claim to something (as admittance) a pass to leave the military base for the weekend

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2
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something a final pass at the assignment

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3
as in realization
the state of being actual or complete eventually, all their career goals came to pass

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pass
Verb
And ever since, ships full of travelers, weary from long journeys, have passed through the narrows, the winds of the Atlantic at their backs. — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026 Fox had been Zemeckis' first pick, but initially had to pass due to scheduling conflicts with Family Ties. — Jonathon Dornbush, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Noun
Nearby bus routes that pass were also delayed or partially suspended. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 Bags, seats, lounge passes, ground transport and hotels live in separate systems and separate transactions. — Somit Goyal, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass
  1. hand
  2. stop
  3. leave
  4. enact
  5. happen
  6. undergo
  7. say
  8. refuse
Verb
  • Bishop Seidenbusch handed him the missions of Northern Minnesota’s entirety in 1888, with an emphasis on Iron Range towns.
    — Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • Because money is fungible, by paying a candidate’s bills, a party is essentially handing him cash, undermining any limits on contributions.
    — Barbara McQuade, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Definition of hand
Verb
  • During the war, as the death toll ticked upward in the enclave, search operations for bodies largely stopped, either because most heavy equipment was destroyed, fuel became scarce or many strike sites became inaccessible due to the fighting.
    — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Curious passersby stopped throughout the day, gazing up at what used to be the Pfizer headquarters building.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Still others tend the fleet already in orbit, refueling, relocating, and extending the life of satellites, and clearing the debris that crowded orbits leave behind.
    — Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • As a result, more producers have chosen to go elsewhere, leaving a quieter landscape for Georgians seeking employment in film and TV.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of leave
Verb
  • The Islamic Republic is expected to enact unprecedented security measures, overseen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while the Basij paramilitary force will coordinate logistics, accommodation and crowd management across the various cities.
    — Emma Graham, CNBC, 4 July 2026
  • Passed as the second of three Reconstruction amendments, the 14th Amendment was enacted after the Civil War.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Definition of enact
Verb
  • This episode, Zack wakes up and bolts upright with the bandage still on his head from getting clobbered with a sign on his birthday and can’t remember what happened the night before.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 July 2026
  • This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
Definition of happen
Verb
  • North Field on Tinian, which was once the busiest airport in the world, was shut down after the war but is undergoing renovation to become an alternate base to Guam as Washington tries to disperse its assets around the region.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • It is recommended that any batteries in devices that will be stored for significant periods should undergo a maintenance routine to maintain their health by charging them to half capacity every six months.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of undergo
Verb
  • Nguyen said that led to an epiphany — and the creation of an Atlanta-area business that has caught the attention of social media scrollers, celebrity clientele and global automakers.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 10 July 2026
  • Giselle Garcia, program director for NorCal Resist, said the arrest data largely tracks with the organization’s own informal counts though emphasized much enforcement goes unaccounted for if families aren’t willing to speak up.
    — Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of say
Verb
  • Hamas’ statement made no mention of disarmament, one of the key requirements under the second phase of the ceasefire deal, which the group has so far refused.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • To conceal the theft from his investors, Correia refused to disclose his company’s financial records and gave false positive updates on SnoOwl’s status.
    — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of refuse

Phrases Containing pass

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pasquinading
pass
passable
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Cite this Entry

“Pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pass

Nglish: Translation of pass for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pass

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