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 a campaign marred by clashes at opposition rallies, and what the United Nations said was widespread repression and intimidation, voting passed off peacefully on Thursday.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
The tie ultimately passed off without much incident.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Reuters, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
The tie ultimately passed off without much incident.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed off
Verb
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Someone inflicted head and neck trauma on Octavio Arias that proved fatal, according to the medical examiner’s findings.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Jurors on Tuesday also found true the allegations that Moore intentionally discharged a firearm causing death, personally used a firearm and inflicted great bodily injury in the shootings.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At the 60-second mark is a quick scene of two primates with the Obamas' smiling faces imposed on them.—
BILL BARROW,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
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The United Nations imposed sanctions on Seif al-Islam that included a travel ban and an assets freeze for his inflammatory public statements encouraging violence against anti-Gadhafi protesters during the 2011 uprising.—
Yousef Murad,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The January transfer window ended with fewer signings than Nottingham Forest might have wished, but not with any shortage of drama.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Just as the Founders would have wished!—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 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 13 Feb. 2026.
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