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 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
The year before, she had been passed up for the lead role in the movie adaptation of My Fair Lady, which went to Audrey Hepburn, pictured.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
On both plays, Maye passed up safer choices — taking a sack and a checkdown — to scramble; chasing the type of extended play that had just rewarded him, but ultimately burned his team.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Over one in ten report being passed up for a promotion or chance to get ahead because of their age.
—Helen Dennis, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Silksong just passed up yesterday’s 562,000 concurrent Steam playercount record, a stunning number for a $20 indie game, though obviously boosted by its mythological status after seven years of waiting from fans.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
He was passed up by most every FBS program coming out of Greenville High in Texas.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
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
The year before, she had been passed up for the lead role in the movie adaptation of My Fair Lady, which went to Audrey Hepburn, pictured.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
On both plays, Maye passed up safer choices — taking a sack and a checkdown — to scramble; chasing the type of extended play that had just rewarded him, but ultimately burned his team.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Over one in ten report being passed up for a promotion or chance to get ahead because of their age.
—Helen Dennis, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Silksong just passed up yesterday’s 562,000 concurrent Steam playercount record, a stunning number for a $20 indie game, though obviously boosted by its mythological status after seven years of waiting from fans.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
He was passed up by most every FBS program coming out of Greenville High in Texas.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed up
Verb
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Ukraine has refused to cede the territory.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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The union claims the district has refused to engage on critical issues impacting students, including class-size reductions, special education caseloads and educator health care.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More than 300 district judges in Minnesota and elsewhere have so far rejected the government’s mandatory detention policies, ordering detainees released or granted bond hearings.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
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That happened recently in Kansas City – where voters rejected a new stadium – and Philadelphia, where the team reversed its decision to build the arena near the city’s Chinatown.—
Gidon Jakar,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Police and city leaders declined to comment on her claims when approached by CNN.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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The driver and the bicyclist, who was struck, declined to be taken to the hospital.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Berry shared the news with host Jimmy Fallon on Thursday's episode of The Tonight Show, after a recent interview with The Cut garnered headlines that the Monster’s Ball actress turned down a proposal from Hunt last year.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
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White, in the final year of his contract, turned down an extension from the Bulls this past offseason, instead choosing to become an unrestricted free agent come June.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 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
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The legislative package could prove to be one of the most significant economic measures passed this Congress.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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Economically, Takaichi backs big government and just passed a record-breaking spending budget.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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So, the fact that the Illinois fireworks ban is roundly ignored by Illinoisans is not a surprise to anyone, as the night skies prove on Independence Day.—
Brad Weisenstein,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Ackerly says the lesson is simple but often ignored.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed%20up. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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