pass 1 of 3

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

Relevance
2
3
4
5
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
8
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

pass

2 of 3

noun (1)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3

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
Kennedy has pressured companies to stop using synthetic food dyes, prompting red states to pass food-dye regulations of their own. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025 Spears was under conservatorship from 2008 until 2021, during which Federline had sole custody of Sean and Jayden, and long periods of time passed between her visits with their children. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
Tim Durocher ran for a score and threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to lead Plymouth South (3-1) to a 20-15 win over Patriot League foe Scituate. Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 4 Oct. 2025 For that — and for his pass breakup, seven tackles, and one tackle for loss — Pruitt has been voted by readers as The Charlotte Observer’s Football Player of the Week. Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass
Verb
  • And while handing Ole Miss its first loss of the year was reason to celebrate, things got pretty somber rather quickly for the Bulldogs after learning the injury status of one of their top playmakers.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • There are Reddit groups dedicated to the hobby of collecting new and vintage matchbooks, and even a website called Matchbooktraveler that catalogs restaurants in the United States that hand them out.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wearing a floor-length brown double-breasted coat featuring buttons that stopped at her waist, the attire created a sultry thigh-high slit that allowed Jolie's leg to peek through.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Studies in animals and reports from people show that the side effects of this drug can continue even after someone stops taking it.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Vital witnesses were killed in the blast All 16 people inside the facility died in the blast, leaving behind a devastated network of coworkers and loved ones as well as depriving investigators of crucial accounts of the final moments leading up to the explosion.
    Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Most of those who shaped or even marginally influenced the events of October 7th are gone, leaving Gaza’s authority withered to the point that even managing the hostages has become paralyzingly difficult.
    Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The city has enacted a more aggressive policy stance to limit the impacts of tent and vehicle encampments — panned as draconian by some advocates — in conjunction with its heavy investment in interim housing solutions.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • In a dressing room, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end concentrates while practicing carrying his then-girlfriend during the Tortured Poets Department section of the three-hour show, with the scene cutting to the couple re-enacting it in full costume on stage.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There was a chill in the air, but for Liverpool’s midfielder, newly arrived from Spain, the real culture shock was what happened on the pitch.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • At the time, authorities said several companies operated on the Accurate Energetic Systems property, but the blast happened in an area operated by Rio Ammunition.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And the Homeland Security Department has mandated that immigrants be detained while undergoing their proceedings, with such detention as mandatory for those who entered without legal status.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The Patriots also have several other Titans alumni on their roster and coaching staff, including edge rusher Harold Landry (who tallied one sack in the win) and backup QB Joshua Dobbs (who delivered a clutch third-down completion while Maye was undergoing a concussion test).
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The temperature change — a drop of 20C/35F Poch said — was cited as a ‘massive risk’ for injuries by the USMNT head coach after a 2-1 win in which Christian Pulisic suffered a muscle strain.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • At the time, authorities said several companies operated on the Accurate Energetic Systems property, but the blast happened in an area operated by Rio Ammunition.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • During one heated exchange, immigration agents who did not want to be captured on body camera footage refused to invite FBI agents along for an arrest operation, one of the sources said.
    Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • According to Film Workers for Palestine, the pledge was inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid, a group founded by high-profile directors such as Jonathan Demme and Martin Scorsese, which demanded that the film industry refuse to distribute work in South Africa.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!