1
as in handed
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
could you please pass me the phone?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in stopped
to come to an end
eventually, the storm passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in left
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
pass your forms to the department head once they're filled out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in enacted
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
Congress cannot pass any law restricting free speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in happened
to take place
and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in experienced
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it
a presidential candidate who doesn't yet know how it feels to pass the scrutiny of the national press
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in uttered
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
he'll occasionally pass some insightful comment, but in general he doesn't have much to contribute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in refused
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
we appreciate the invitation to the party, but we'll have to pass I'll pass on the coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in flew
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of passed
Many of the farms, which are traditionally passed down to men within a family, have been abandoned.
—
JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2025
The state of Ohio has already passed a law requiring schools to notify parents of certain things, including if their student requests to be identified as a different gender.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
The coalition noted that in 1998, Congress passed the McDade Amendment, which explicitly rejected the Bar’s argument that investigating federal officials would encroach on federal authority.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Legislative efforts to end the biannual time change have not yet passed in Congress.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
In 2024, lawmakers also passed House Bill 10 requiring sheriffs to comply with ICE, further tightening state policy on local non-cooperation.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
In turn, the finance companies could claim the credit — which could then be passed along to consumers through attractive lease deals later this year.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
His motion to cut off negotiations at the end of the year ultimately passed.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
This book is a baton which has been passed down to me.
—Taylor Cassidy, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2025
The state of Ohio has already passed a law requiring schools to notify parents of certain things, including if their student requests to be identified as a different gender.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
The coalition noted that in 1998, Congress passed the McDade Amendment, which explicitly rejected the Bar’s argument that investigating federal officials would encroach on federal authority.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Legislative efforts to end the biannual time change have not yet passed in Congress.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
In 2024, lawmakers also passed House Bill 10 requiring sheriffs to comply with ICE, further tightening state policy on local non-cooperation.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
In turn, the finance companies could claim the credit — which could then be passed along to consumers through attractive lease deals later this year.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
His motion to cut off negotiations at the end of the year ultimately passed.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
This book is a baton which has been passed down to me.
—Taylor Cassidy, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed
Verb
-
The Herald spoke to six men in Mexico and lawyers for six other deportees who say the Department of Homeland Security drove them in buses to the southern border and handed them over to authorities in Mexico.—
Syra Ortiz-Blanes,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
-
By then, the preeminent fashion genius of the third quarter of the 20th century and the designer so often credited with inventing the modern woman’s wardrobe had handed prêt-à-porter over to his assistants, who clung as if by commandment to the house dogma of bourgeois Parisian elegance.—
Rob Haskell,
Vogue,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On Sunday, Jeanty was stopped for a loss or no gain on four of his 10 runs against light boxes, and overall, the Las Vegas Raiders were stuffed 11 times on 29 attempts — the most of any team in a game this season.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
This was a couple who had never stopped laughing at one another’s jokes, who still held hands like teenagers into their 50s.—
Bee Wilson,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This is not the first time Peru has enacted a state of emergency to address security concerns.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
But federal law enacted by Congress requires a party to seek to remove a state case to federal court within 30 days.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But when a famous author sneaks into town and a body is found in his penthouse apartment, cunning fox investigator Vera Vixen must piece together what happened.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Craft opened up about what happened on the agreement that the name of the zoo involved be omitted from the story.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The area experienced decades of economic disinvestment as a result.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The aircraft experienced engine failure during a flight between Tucson and Phoenix, prompting the pilot to attempt an emergency landing near the airport, according to the Casa Grande Fire Department.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Los Angeles Master Chorale uttered nonverbal syllables, yet the message was somehow clear.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
-
As Carrington uttered those words after practice on Wednesday, Middleton was about to get on a stationary bike to keep his legs loose.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through more than a decade of running a business and raising a son, Whebbe and Paoli refused to give up on getting the Book Lady’s books into the hands of people who will love them.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
20 Oct. 2025
-
While thousands focused on the federal government at the rally, at least one woman seemed more concentrated on calling out how Attorney General Andrea Campbell has refused to enforce the legislative audit that state voters approved last November.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Seven of the top flight’s 20 teams ended that campaign with a pass completion rate of less than 70 per cent.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In April, Brazil ended visa-free travel for citizens of the US, Canada, and Australia, citing a lack of reciprocity.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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