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 To diVittorio, the minimum lot sizes are too big — and therefore expensive; setbacks from streets are too broad, eating up buildable land; and sidewalk requirements are too costly, getting passed off to consumers. Mark Dee march 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026 Ocean carriers are reacting in kind, passing off the war-risk premiums to their customers. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Mar. 2026 Earlier in the week, an Indian university was reportedly asked to leave the summit after a staff member passed off a robotic dog developed by Chinese company Unitree as one the university had developed. Jared Perlo, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026 Gimbel attributed the practice of AI washing to companies passing off diminished margins and revenue from a failure to effectively navigate cautious consumers and geopolitical tensions to AI. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass off
Verb
  • For those who wish to remain and shelter in place, the embassy reminded them to have a supply of food, water, medications and other essential items.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Those who wished to see Garner clad in fishnets and rubber bracelets as the Material Girl will still have a chance.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Recent strikes have inflicted significant damage on energy infrastructure in the region, with a recent attack wiping out 17% of output at Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG plants, damage that would take years to recover.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
  • This online collection included images of mutilation and tying up women with ropes, two things prosecutors said are consistent with injuries inflicted on Mack and how she was bound, officials said.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Armed groups impose rules, enforce discipline and punish violations with violence.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The growing apathy toward big-screen entertainment was also owed to the patina of all-American wholesomeness that studios imposed on their stables of stars, and the nothing-to-see-here style of movie journalism was wearing thin.
    Joshua John Miller, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While other firms have trimmed entry-level hiring as AI takes over the admin tasks normally palmed off to younger workers, EY is actively investing in early-career talent.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Whether out of pride, ideological zeal or an instinct to haggle for even the tiniest advantage, Iranian leaders will be tempted to stall — to drag out negotiations, fob off the U.S. with flashy promises and try to trip up their American counterparts in highly technical details.
    Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Back in the team after injury, Neuer made strong saves in the first half but blundered for Freiburg's second, leaping out of his goal to palm a corner straight to Freiburg striker Lucas Höler for an easy second.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The left hand pointing down, palm out, displays the varadamudra (giving gesture, a kind of mudra).
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026

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“Pass off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20off. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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