pass up

verb

Definition of pass upnext
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to I must pass up the offer to be chairman of this event

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 up After her senior year, Fisher passed up several offers to study law on the West Coast. — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Another time, deep in Rutgers territory, Riley passed up on a fourth-quarter field goal on fourth down, only for USC’s fourth-down pass to come up short. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 The site looks polished, the branding feels familiar, and the deal seems hard to pass up. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 The game featured a fourth-quarter comeback by Mizzou and a Tigers fan passing up a chance to win $25k to troll the Jayhawks instead. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass up
  1. refuse
  2. reject
  3. decline
  4. turn down
  5. throw over
Verb
  • State police alleged that Betacourt was uncooperative and refused to comply with commands.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The first time Christian had refused services, at midnight, Lojo had taken the answer at face value and moved on.
    — Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • The county urged the Supreme Court to reject the administration's appeal, while the state of Texas submitted its own brief defending the database.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Notably, one person, without explanation, rejected the invitation to testify, though their statement to law enforcement was also considered.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • The parties involved in the litigation—as well as Red Lobster itself, which is not being sued—declined to comment for this article, but their court filings lay out the sad saga in dramatic detail.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But campus police made no arrests, and the district attorney, Matthew Van Houten, initially declined to pursue charges against the seven fraternity brothers.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • There are six coaches in new roles entering the season, including Dallas' Dusty May — who led Michigan to the NCAA title last spring and then found an offer to jump to the NBA with the Mavs too enticing to turn down.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • According to the Sunday Times, the Prince of Wales has turned down the requests, in part to avoid a new source of conflict with his brother, Prince Harry, who recently moved with his family back to the UK.
    — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of turn down
Verb
  • With its three-quarter sleeves and boat neckline, Hadid’s version felt particularly well suited to these strange in-between September days, a cream suede jacket thrown over her bag just in case.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In his breakout season in 2025, Maye showed that one of his quarterbacking superpowers is throwing over the middle of the field.
    — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of throw over

Browse Nearby Words

passports
pass up
password
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Cite this Entry

“Pass up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20up. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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