as in refused
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
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Recent Examples of passed up
The Fishers native never passed up a chance to perform, singing at school functions and in local pubs and restaurants throughout her childhood.
—
Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
They were blown out by the Boston Celtics on Sunday before losing by one at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday when Luka Doncic passed up a three and threw the ball to LeBron James, who missed a hurried, last-second three.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
The freshman made a steal in the backcourt at the other end and passed up for a two-handed slam in transition from Ross.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
Her family quietly passed up its own deadline to sell in January, prompting questions about whether the asking price was too high and whether The Economist’s powerful trustees were able to agree on a suitable buyer.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
In another nod to Vionnet, Smith passed up a show in favor of a look book starring model Jean Campbell, and an exhibition-cum-salon at the Mandarin Oriental.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
The first time Helena Morrissey had a child, she was passed up for a promotion.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
McAtamney’s lack of field goal range also played a part in this game because the Giants passed up attempts.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The Oilers passed up countless quality chances at five-on-five and were seldom around the blue paint against the Devils.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
They were blown out by the Boston Celtics on Sunday before losing by one at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday when Luka Doncic passed up a three and threw the ball to LeBron James, who missed a hurried, last-second three.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
The freshman made a steal in the backcourt at the other end and passed up for a two-handed slam in transition from Ross.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
Her family quietly passed up its own deadline to sell in January, prompting questions about whether the asking price was too high and whether The Economist’s powerful trustees were able to agree on a suitable buyer.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
In another nod to Vionnet, Smith passed up a show in favor of a look book starring model Jean Campbell, and an exhibition-cum-salon at the Mandarin Oriental.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
The first time Helena Morrissey had a child, she was passed up for a promotion.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
McAtamney’s lack of field goal range also played a part in this game because the Giants passed up attempts.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The Oilers passed up countless quality chances at five-on-five and were seldom around the blue paint against the Devils.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed up
Verb
-
Reporters from outlets that refused to consent to the new rules, including those from the Associated Press, have continued reporting on the military from outside the building.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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The judge reminded the court that Cox filed the motion in January 2026 and refused to delay the hearing.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 2019, a bill requiring the Department of Public Health and the University of Connecticut to study female genital mutilation in the state was rejected by the Senate.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
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But Patrick rejected the idea that funding battles would doom the effort.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Township officials also offered assistance during a public meeting to help address those concerns, but the university declined the help, the lawsuit alleges.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Army Corps declined to comment for this article, citing the ongoing lawsuit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When public address announcer Mark Fratto introduced Young as a starter with the lights in the arena turned down, many of the fans stood and cheered.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Despite the Kennedy family's reputation as unofficial American royalty, John and Carolyn famously turned down the opportunity to have a blockbuster celebrity wedding.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On third-and-7, Fields threw over the middle to receiver Josh Reynolds for 6 yards, short of the first-down marker.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Though Brock Purdy threw over 300 yards in his return from injury, the Jaguars' defense caused five turnovers, including a strip sack that sealed the game in the fourth quarter.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The country also passed an anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda bill in 2024.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The legislation has not passed the Senate.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Whether out of arrogance, capriciousness, or collective amnesia, this recent history was ignored.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Many speakers ignored instructions to address the board and instead addressed other speakers in the crowd.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed%20up. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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