pass off

verb

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 The Spurs fought back from a 14-point deficit to take the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter, but with the game tied at 104, Victor Wembanyama threw a pass off an unaware teammate's back and Jalen Brunson stole the ball. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026 Rick later discovers that Danny is trying to pass off the song as his own. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 June 2026 The sustainable insurance strategy passes off the cost of the climate crisis onto consumers. — Pat Maio, Oc Register, 5 May 2026 Sure enough, a member of the security team snagged the jersey, and it was passed off to a man who admired the jersey sitting in the ride behind Leo. — CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass off
  1. wish
  2. inflict
  3. impose
  4. palm off
  5. fob off
  6. palm
Verb
  • Amenities and experiences Guests who wish to prise themselves away from the scalloped sun umbrellas and plush loungers for a day can arrange trips to neighboring islands or take the shuttle into town.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Braves lost to the Twins, 4-2, in the series opener, a game delayed 51 minutes because of inclement weather and then began with an opening frame that probably had Braves faithful wishing there’d been a lengthier postponement.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of wish
Verb
  • In Iraq, the United States inflicted a dozen years of punishing sanctions, intermittent bombing, and failed regime change and counterproliferation efforts, followed by the disastrous 2003 invasion and occupation, all at tremendous human cost.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine has sought to ramp up attacks on Wildberries, signaling a new phase in the four-and-a-half-year war as Kyiv seeks to inflict fresh pain on the Russian economy.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of inflict
Verb
  • The Texas school accountability law, passed in 2015, allows for the commissioner to order the campus to close or impose a state takeover of the district after five consecutive failing grades.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Newsmax on Thursday that more economic penalties against Iran would be imposed soon.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of impose
Verb
  • France took the lead with a solo try from Ntamack, who ran down the short side from about 22-meters out, dummied, palmed off a defender and crashed over in a tackle in the 52nd, and conversion from skipper Maxime Lucu.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • Lift your right palm off the ground and cross your torso to tap your left shoulder, then return your right hand to the ground.
    — Jenessa Connor, Health, 28 May 2026
Definition of palm off
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
  • Not only does Israel not have spare luxury jets lying around to fob off on the American president, but the country took nine years to retrofit and launch its own version of Air Force One, and the process was a national fiasco.
    — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Definition of fob off
Verb
  • For the final punchline, Bounou shuffled right, stood upright, and palmed away Crysencio Summerville’s effort.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 7 July 2026
  • Al-Amri, who had a shot denied by Uruguay's Fernando Muslera earlier in the first half, put his squad ahead with a quick tap-in after Muslera palmed away a header.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Definition of palm

Browse Nearby Words

pass muster
pass off
pass (on)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pass off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20off. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pass off

Nglish: Translation of pass off for Spanish Speakers

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