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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Recent Examples of passed up
Moments later, Munyak found himself with the ball in his hands after teammate Tre’shawn Sheppard passed up an open shot to get him the ball on the left wing.
—
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Streisand was indeed present at the Shubert, but in a show of remarkable discipline and sacrifice, passed up the opportunity to go onstage and give an acceptance speech.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2026
Kennard passed up the shot, instead clanking a mid-range look off the backboard.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
The Fishers native never passed up a chance to perform, singing at school functions and in local pubs and restaurants throughout her childhood.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
They were blown out by the Boston Celtics on Sunday before losing by one at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday when Luka Doncic passed up a three and threw the ball to LeBron James, who missed a hurried, last-second three.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
The freshman made a steal in the backcourt at the other end and passed up for a two-handed slam in transition from Ross.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
Her family quietly passed up its own deadline to sell in January, prompting questions about whether the asking price was too high and whether The Economist’s powerful trustees were able to agree on a suitable buyer.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
In another nod to Vionnet, Smith passed up a show in favor of a look book starring model Jean Campbell, and an exhibition-cum-salon at the Mandarin Oriental.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Streisand was indeed present at the Shubert, but in a show of remarkable discipline and sacrifice, passed up the opportunity to go onstage and give an acceptance speech.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2026
Kennard passed up the shot, instead clanking a mid-range look off the backboard.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
The Fishers native never passed up a chance to perform, singing at school functions and in local pubs and restaurants throughout her childhood.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
They were blown out by the Boston Celtics on Sunday before losing by one at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday when Luka Doncic passed up a three and threw the ball to LeBron James, who missed a hurried, last-second three.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
The freshman made a steal in the backcourt at the other end and passed up for a two-handed slam in transition from Ross.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
Her family quietly passed up its own deadline to sell in January, prompting questions about whether the asking price was too high and whether The Economist’s powerful trustees were able to agree on a suitable buyer.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
In another nod to Vionnet, Smith passed up a show in favor of a look book starring model Jean Campbell, and an exhibition-cum-salon at the Mandarin Oriental.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed up
Verb
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Yet Hezbollah refused to succumb to the growing domestic pressure calling it to give up its arms.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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Grohl refused to answer additional questions about his cheating, instead suggesting that the Foo Fighters’ upcoming album contains songs and lyrics that allude to it.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But courts have also rejected O’Connell’s claims of misconduct in other high-profile cases.—
Tony Plohetski,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
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The proposal had been rejected by members of a separate federal coin committee — and panned by former member Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.—
Dan Diamond,
Washington Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Pentagon declined to comment on the strike on Natanz, which was also hit in the first week of the war and in the 12-day war last June.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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Miami also declined to offer Jovic, though there’s no indication that his inclusion would have satisfied Phoenix.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As for the teachers' strike at Twin Rivers Unified, the union said the district turned down the last deal.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
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Curvelo, 25, turned down the offer twice, in fact.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 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 bill, which requires national voter ID and proof of citizenship when registering to vote, is broadly supported by Republicans and passed the House in February with zero defections.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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While state lawmakers have passed nearly 50 new laws aimed at improving youth mental health, Colorado Health Institute found 44% of kids who needed care last year didn't get it due to a lack of money or insurance.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, transgender rights advocates say the voices and the views of students have been ignored.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Sterlin Harjo has expanded the possibilities of television with work that is both deeply personal and culturally groundbreaking, with overdue stories and voices Americans have long ignored.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed%20up. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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