pass off

Definition of pass offnext
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

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 off That being said, Payton would often pass off specific situational duties to different areas of his offensive staff in New Orleans. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026 During the sequence, Hinckle fed a pass off to his right. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026 When an obnoxious influencer (Zach Galifianakis, delightfully punchable) dies in a freak accident at her gallery, Polina decides to pass off his corpse as an exhibition centerpiece. Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 28 Jan. 2026 Williams and Storrie, both in official white, pink and yellow fits, had their own moment as torchbearers, with Williams passing off the flame to Storrie. Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass off
Verb
  • The pendulum of pension reform could be swinging toward more generous benefits over a decade after California overhauled its retirement system if lawmakers grant public safety unions’ wish to lower the age when police officers and firefighters can retire.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The companies are offering refunds if guests of these bookings wish to cancel.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Since 2024, a number of lawsuits have alleged that extensive use of the technology has inflicted a range of harms on children and adults alike, fostering delusions and despair for some and leading others to death by suicide and even murder-suicide.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
  • How much damage will be inflicted?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Section 122, which has never been invoked, allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15%.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The law limits the ability of local jurisdictions, including cities like Rocklin, to impose certain restrictions on bicycle use.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The unique shape helps keep your palm off the table while offering a spot for your thumb to rest.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 9 May 2025
  • And there’s an art to delegating, without seemingly palming off work to your team.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2023
Verb
  • Your potential clients are terrified of being sold the dream then fobbed off to a junior team member.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • While attempting to film his daughter's dance, Miguel Angel Michel, 66, couldn't control his feet and eventually fobbed off his phone altogether, earning 4.2 million views on TikTok.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Joel Veltman grabbed the second equaliser in a 2-2 draw at West Ham in the final fixture of 2025 with a left-foot volley at the far post after an in-swinging corner from Ferdi Kadioglu was palmed straight to the Dutchman by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Major League Baseball wagged a finger with one hand and palmed gate receipts and a new TV deal in the other.
    Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pass off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20off. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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