as in to wish
to offer (something fake, useless, or inferior) as genuine, useful, or valuable
the con man tried to pass off a piece of blue glass as a sapphire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pass off
Once the victim had been convinced that their relative had been arrested, the call was passed off to another scammer at the call center posing as an attorney representing the elderly victim’s relative.
—
Steve Weisman, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The tax will then have to be passed off to the consumer.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
Although easily passed off as small and insignificant, such perks have long been valued by staff at United.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Once the victim had been convinced that their relative had been arrested, the call was passed off to another scammer at the call center posing as an attorney representing the elderly victim’s relative.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass off
Steve Weisman, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The tax will then have to be passed off to the consumer.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
Although easily passed off as small and insignificant, such perks have long been valued by staff at United.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Once the victim had been convinced that their relative had been arrested, the call was passed off to another scammer at the call center posing as an attorney representing the elderly victim’s relative.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass off
Verb
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Several countries have toughened advisories for citizens wishing to travel to the U.S. under the Trump administration — warning them there could be greater scrutiny at borders after some foreign travelers were turned back.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
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This is part of Israel Katz’s Ministry of Defense plan to encourage those who wish to permanently relocate, aligning with President Trump’s vision for the relocation of Gazans.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Although the president has been unhappy with Powell for years, his most recent comments came after the Fed chair spoke at an event in Chicago and said the administration’s sweeping tariffs were larger than expected and that the lingering uncertainty could inflict lasting economic damage.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
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And, in violation of the fundamental separation of power principles on which our Constitution is based, Trump has set himself up as prosecutor, judge, and jury, claiming the right to inflict punishment on specific groups or individuals with the stroke of his pen.—
James Speyer,
New York Daily News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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On the first day of his second term, Trump issued executive orders to withdraw from the UN Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization and imposed a 90-day pause on all delivery of U.S. foreign aid.—
Ngaire Woods,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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As a result, experts have said a one-size-fits-all rate like what the White House imposed on steel, aluminum and cars would be devastating.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And there’s an art to delegating, without seemingly palming off work to your team.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2023
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Giannoli’s narrator lays out press performance in Balzacian details that sound absolutely contemporary: News, debate, and ideas had become goods to palm off on subscribers.—
Armond White,
National Review,
10 June 2022
Verb
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But despite previous transparency around the cost-cutting measures, employees inquiring about how the budget cuts have impacted their performance review will now be fobbed off.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
29 Aug. 2023
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Most chose instead to fob off the hard decisions to central bankers.—
William Pesek,
Forbes,
10 Sep. 2021
Verb
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Onana allowed Thiago Almada’s 25th-minute free-kick to go straight in while Rayan Cherki’s equaliser deep into stoppage time at the end of the game came after the goalkeeper palmed Corentin Tolisso’s effort back into his path.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Slicing this way makes the lemons easier to palm.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pass off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20off. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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