passed off

past tense of pass off
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

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 off 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 The film claims to be a comedy but does not even attempt to rise above judgmental statements passed off as jokes and slapstick comedy. Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed off
Verb
  • Chambers’ defense attorney, Abram Genser, argued any injuries Chambers may have inflicted were not life-threatening, and Dadkhah died instead of a brain bleed caused by excessive methamphetamine use.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This is not just the violence of batons or bullets, but the quieter devastation inflicted by law through denial, deferral or bureaucratic neglect.
    Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Young Palestinians, particularly those under age 5, are especially vulnerable in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has imposed restrictions on the entry of aid throughout the war, at times shutting crossings entirely.
    Pablo Robles, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, there’s already a battle in Los Angeles over the $30 wage for workers at hotels and other hospitality businesses imposed by the city council.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Others criticized his remarks but wished him well.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The woman wanted to know whether the family wished to move forward with the process if Black died, Payne said.
    Cara Anthony, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Passed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed%20off. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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