as in inflicted
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
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Recent Examples of passed off
After Wembanyama converted an and-one fast-break lob from Stephon Castle, Mazzulla lifted Walsh and passed off that matchup to Baylor Scheierman.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Winter can be hard, but the belief that everyone is sadder during the season may simply be folklore passed off as fact.
—Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
Perez said at a Sunday night press conference that authorities identified the man via a tip — which the police chief said was passed off to the FBI — but the evidence obtained was ultimately insufficient to keep him.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2025
Throughout the case, Carnival’ attorneys maintained the cruise line wasn’t at fault and passed off blame to Rondon.
—Vinod Sreeharsha
september 22, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Lots of men would have passed off that rod because the fish fought so hard.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Wilted lettuce doused in watery dressing passed off as salads.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
Wilted lettuce doused in watery dressing passed off as salads.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Wilted lettuce doused in watery dressing passed off as salads.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Winter can be hard, but the belief that everyone is sadder during the season may simply be folklore passed off as fact.
—Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
Perez said at a Sunday night press conference that authorities identified the man via a tip — which the police chief said was passed off to the FBI — but the evidence obtained was ultimately insufficient to keep him.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2025
Throughout the case, Carnival’ attorneys maintained the cruise line wasn’t at fault and passed off blame to Rondon.
—Vinod Sreeharsha
september 22, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Lots of men would have passed off that rod because the fish fought so hard.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Wilted lettuce doused in watery dressing passed off as salads.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
Wilted lettuce doused in watery dressing passed off as salads.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Wilted lettuce doused in watery dressing passed off as salads.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed off
Verb
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Coon’s Agnes is a broken woman desperately looking for companionship following the devastating loss of her son and the physical and emotional violence inflicted on her by her ex-husband.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
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The scheme affected more than 10,000 people across the country and inflicted more than $25 million in victim losses, the statement said.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The judge also sentenced him to five years of supervised release and imposed a $500,000 fine against him — the maximum fine allowable.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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Last year, China imposed several restrictions on the export of rare earth materials.—
Maydeen Merino,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Veasey wished Haynes well and opted against running in District 30.—
Gromer Jeffers Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Yousifi, a 42-year-old hospital worker, leaves behind two sons and a daughter, according to the cousin, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Passed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed%20off. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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