as in traversed
to make one's way through, across, or over
passed over two bridges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in ignored
to fail to give proper attention to
you seem to have passed over an important e-mail notice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overlooked
to dismiss as of little importance
I'd be willing to pass over this latest episode of tardiness if there hadn't been so many before
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 passed (over)
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
But the suit filed in federal court a little over a year ago laid out his frustrations after applying to be captain and getting passed over for a white officer who, according to the suit, had about a third of the experience as supervisor in the department.
—Ken Lemon, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
When Stacy gets upset that she was passed over for a promotion that was instead given to Officer Radner, who isn’t at all qualified.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
She was passed over in favor of Holly Hunter and Jamie Lee Curtis.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Whether it’s being passed over for a promotion, receiving harsh feedback, or losing a contract to a competitor, setbacks happen.
—Nir Eyal, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
The letter was in response to a protest filed with the ISBE by OrganicLife — the longtime food vendor with the district that had been passed over for the contract — that alleged serious misconduct by the school district during the RFP process, including potential bribery.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
That year, however, he was ultimately passed over by Khomeini and detained by the Revolutionary Guard.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Her accessories, much like her clothing, were tight in number but deliberate in choice—subtle details that gained meaning through repetition—much of which is routinely passed over today in comparison to her clothing.
—Julia Rabinowitsch, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Even their best pro prospect, defensive tackle Deven Eastern, might be passed over in the last rounds and be forced to take the harder UDFA route.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
But the suit filed in federal court a little over a year ago laid out his frustrations after applying to be captain and getting passed over for a white officer who, according to the suit, had about a third of the experience as supervisor in the department.
—Ken Lemon, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
When Stacy gets upset that she was passed over for a promotion that was instead given to Officer Radner, who isn’t at all qualified.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
She was passed over in favor of Holly Hunter and Jamie Lee Curtis.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Whether it’s being passed over for a promotion, receiving harsh feedback, or losing a contract to a competitor, setbacks happen.
—Nir Eyal, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
The letter was in response to a protest filed with the ISBE by OrganicLife — the longtime food vendor with the district that had been passed over for the contract — that alleged serious misconduct by the school district during the RFP process, including potential bribery.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
That year, however, he was ultimately passed over by Khomeini and detained by the Revolutionary Guard.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Her accessories, much like her clothing, were tight in number but deliberate in choice—subtle details that gained meaning through repetition—much of which is routinely passed over today in comparison to her clothing.
—Julia Rabinowitsch, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passed (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed%20%28over%29. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
