1
2
as in to stop
to come to an end
eventually, the storm passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to enact
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 to happen
to take place
and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
take the second pass on the right
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in realization
the state of being actual or complete
eventually, all their career goals came to pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Domestic importers do, passing the costs onto consumers.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Ayo Akinwolere, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Marcus Smart tried a lob to Ayton, but the center couldn’t corral the pass.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pass
Verb
While visible light and, to an extent, infrared light is blocked by these gas clouds, radio waves can pass through unhindered.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Domestic importers do, passing the costs onto consumers.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Only centre-back William Saliba completed more passes than the 19-year-old, while he was involved in the most possession sequences, jumping from space to space in midfield and knitting together Arsenal’s most threatening passing moves.
—Ayo Akinwolere, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Marcus Smart tried a lob to Ayton, but the center couldn’t corral the pass.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass
Verb
-
So when Jaden Smith wandered over to sign autographs, Huang handed the reel to him instead.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
The whole point is to remove the decisions, not hand them back to her.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Quin Snyder’s Towns wrinkle stalled the Knicks briefly, then stopped working.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The workers get ordered to start jobs, stop jobs, ignore jobs and are other things that turn them into ping pong balls, with the Butleys and the del Valles as the paddles.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Storrie was spotted leaving the Carlyle Hotel with a trail of fabric wrapped around his neck, blowing in the wind.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
5 May 2026
-
The Knicks didn’t leave that first-round fire in Atlanta.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
An interim report from the Royal Commission released in April, which examined the capacity of Australian law enforcement and the security services to respond to antisemitic crimes, recommended that Australia’s leaders prioritize enacting nationally consistent gun laws and a weapons buyback.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
-
This act interferes greatly with local departments of planning and development for erroneous climate protocols enacted by Ronald Regan.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials are still trying to determine what happened aboard the ship, which commands fares of up to $28,845 for a 46-day journey that includes a tour of the Antarctica Peninsula and stops in Tierra del Fuego on the southern edge of Argentina.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Voters who won the case wanted the transfer to happen without the waiting period to grant more time for new maps to be drawn.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Minter underwent surgery to repair the tear, ending his season prematurely.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
The Department underwent an exhaustive effort to collect all records in its possession responsive to the Act.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The New York Knicks took care of business, to say the least, against the Philadelphia 76ers with another utter demolition on the road in a close-out game.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Her foundation said she has been granted a prison sentence suspension on bail.—
Sarah el Deeb,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
But when the symptoms refused to fade, an MRI revealed something far worse.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Others rely on patience, research, and the fact that the ground itself refuses to be reduced to one easy headline.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
