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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of passed up
No matter where the ball was kicked or passed up and down the field, even after the Saudi’s surprise first half goal, many eyes were on the refs.
—
Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
But because the Marlins, who played at the Miami Gardens stadium at the time, would be playing regular-season games that coincided with the summer tournament, Miami was passed up in favor of Orlando.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2026
Most general manager candidates cannot afford to be picky, especially those on the older end of the spectrum who have been passed up for previous jobs.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Origin In 1976 Mattel passed up the opportunity to become the exclusive producer of Star Wars toys, which went on to become multimillion-dollar bestsellers.
—Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026
The team passed up Oregon’s Dillon Thienemen for Freeling in the first round, and Morgan decided to wait until the fifth round to dial up a safety for selection.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Flea markets offer one-of-a-kind finds that are hard to replace if passed up.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
The veteran winger passed up a one-timer with the extra man about five minutes into the third period.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Retaliation can include being assigned to a station far from home, passed up for promotions or labeled a troublemaker.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
But because the Marlins, who played at the Miami Gardens stadium at the time, would be playing regular-season games that coincided with the summer tournament, Miami was passed up in favor of Orlando.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2026
Most general manager candidates cannot afford to be picky, especially those on the older end of the spectrum who have been passed up for previous jobs.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Origin In 1976 Mattel passed up the opportunity to become the exclusive producer of Star Wars toys, which went on to become multimillion-dollar bestsellers.
—Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026
The team passed up Oregon’s Dillon Thienemen for Freeling in the first round, and Morgan decided to wait until the fifth round to dial up a safety for selection.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Flea markets offer one-of-a-kind finds that are hard to replace if passed up.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
The veteran winger passed up a one-timer with the extra man about five minutes into the third period.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Retaliation can include being assigned to a station far from home, passed up for promotions or labeled a troublemaker.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed up
Verb
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One, Sam Hentges, apparently refused to wear it at all, appearing in the traditional cap the Giants wear the other 161 games.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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Sojourner Truth refused to be defined by the stereotypes society tried to construct about her.—
Jocelyn Frye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Officials in Hood County, Texas, for example, rejected a proposal for a six-month moratorium after a state senator urged the Texas attorney general to intervene and prevent the measure.—
Rachel Mural,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
-
New Delhi, however, rejected the claim, insisting the ceasefire was the result of direct bilateral talks with Pakistan.—
Kyra Colah,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The Dadar Parsi Colony Gymkhana declined to comment because the matter is before the courts.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
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Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
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So far, Alvarez has turned down a couple of agreements struck by Atetlico with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal because of this.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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We were turned down and practically thrown out by every studio more than once.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Stationed at third base with another runner at first base and no outs in the eighth inning, Alcántara ran halfway toward home plate when Bregman hit a line drive at Giants first baseman Rafael Devers, who immediately threw over to third base for the double play.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
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That kid threw over-powering heat, but not nearly like this ox.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The elevator subsequently passed a county inspection and has been cleared for use.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
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After McDonald’s announced plans to open a restaurant in Mattituck, the town passed an ordinance banning drive-throughs; when CVS arrived, the locals capped the size of big-box stores.—
Reeves Wiedeman,
Curbed,
22 June 2026
Verb
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For the past five years, Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday, encouraging people across the country to reflect not only on the nation's tangled past with slavery, but the wider legacy of forgotten, ignored and intentionally buried stories about Black America.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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Against such seismic personal developments, the simultaneous grown and depletion of White Rock and its environs happen at a far more gradual pace, but don’t go ignored by Choijoovanchig and his patient camera.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed%20up. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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