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
Relevance
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
Origin In 1976 Mattel passed up the opportunity to become the exclusive producer of Star Wars toys, which went on to become multimillion-dollar bestsellers.
—
Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026
Don’t pass up this fun way to get around this charming town.
—Karon Warren, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Charles compared people passing up investing in Amazon to how many publishers turned down the now wildly popular Harry Potter books.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Still, to compete in her sixth Olympics at the age of 42 would be an accomplishment hard to pass up.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pass up
Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026
Don’t pass up this fun way to get around this charming town.
—Karon Warren, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Charles compared people passing up investing in Amazon to how many publishers turned down the now wildly popular Harry Potter books.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Still, to compete in her sixth Olympics at the age of 42 would be an accomplishment hard to pass up.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pass up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass up
Verb
-
But when the symptoms refused to fade, an MRI revealed something far worse.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Others rely on patience, research, and the fact that the ground itself refuses to be reduced to one easy headline.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The court rejected the argument, concluding that a prospective rate hearing — unlike that on the response time — would be considered contested and the utility would have the opportunity to challenge the finding of imprudence then.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bass defended her administration’s handling of homelessness, pointing to declining homelessness counts and the city’s Inside Safe program, while criticizing Raman’s record on police hiring and past votes against some encampment enforcement measures near schools and other sensitive sites.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
Spatola and his legal team declined to comment immediately after the verdict.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Stanley Tucci is opening up about turning down opportunities to take part in food competition shows.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
-
In a letter turning down that request, Attorney General Rob Bonta placed his faith in Cal Fire.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
In Lisbon, it’s styled casually—thrown over a T-shirt or dress rather than worn formally.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Next, a gentle tip-tap rippling through major East Coast cities, as the girls collectively add to cart whatever Holmes is toting or throwing over her shoulders.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pass up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20up. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
