1
as in hands
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
could you please pass me the phone?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in stops
to come to an end
eventually, the storm passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in leaves
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
pass your forms to the department head once they're filled out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in enacts
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
Congress cannot pass any law restricting free speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in happens
to take place
and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in undergoes
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it
a presidential candidate who doesn't yet know how it feels to pass the scrutiny of the national press
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in utters
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
he'll occasionally pass some insightful comment, but in general he doesn't have much to contribute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in refuses
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
we appreciate the invitation to the party, but we'll have to pass I'll pass on the coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in flies
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in canyons
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
a mountain pass that was impassable during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in routes
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
take the second pass on the right
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in tickets
a small sheet of plastic, paper, or paperboard showing that the bearer has a claim to something (as admittance)
a pass to leave the military base for the weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in accomplishments
the state of being actual or complete
eventually, all their career goals came to pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 passes
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
An egg that passes visual and smell inspection up to three weeks past the expiration date is almost certainly still good, regardless of what the carton says.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
But Boston evened the score in the middle period when Liz Schepers sent a shot past Philips following passes from Shay Maloney and Elly Huber.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
Closing weekend lift tickets are available for $39, and season and Ikon passes still apply.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Somerville firefighters stand on overpass as hearse carrying Trooper Kevin Trainor passes underneath during dignified transfer.
—Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 8 May 2026
California relies on the Middle East for 30% of its crude oil, said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, including oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
And now, at last, sperm passes from one slug to the other.
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
As a result, when Earth passes through the comet’s orbit, the comet itself is very far away.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Seminole Ridge junior quarterback Aubrey Fogel had 275 passing yards and four touchdown passes to lift the Hawks.
—Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Coleman also dropped a couple of passes, but the talented receiver, teaming with equally talented Jayvon Funnye made some big plays.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
Donald’s aggressive, penetrating style differed from the traditional approach used by many interior defenders, who use their bulk to clog running lanes and absorb blockers and raise their arms to try to deflect passes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
Burkle and Brahmer make for an impressive tight end duo that combined to catch 63 passes last season.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Annual passes often include perks like free guest tickets and discounts on food and merchandise.
—Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
Indeed, Cantona services fans generously with plenty of great clips of our hero making extraordinary goals and passes, remonstrating with authorities and, best of all, taking his shirt off in his younger years.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Some answers were offered at the SDSU practice field during Saturday evening’s scrimmage, which was highlighted by 60- and 70-yard passes from junior transfer quarterback Jayden Denegal to senior transfer wide receiver Myles Kitt-Denton.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
The central Sahel is defined by the continent-spanning arid belt that passes through Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
An egg that passes visual and smell inspection up to three weeks past the expiration date is almost certainly still good, regardless of what the carton says.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
But Boston evened the score in the middle period when Liz Schepers sent a shot past Philips following passes from Shay Maloney and Elly Huber.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
Closing weekend lift tickets are available for $39, and season and Ikon passes still apply.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Somerville firefighters stand on overpass as hearse carrying Trooper Kevin Trainor passes underneath during dignified transfer.
—Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 8 May 2026
California relies on the Middle East for 30% of its crude oil, said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, including oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
And now, at last, sperm passes from one slug to the other.
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
As a result, when Earth passes through the comet’s orbit, the comet itself is very far away.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Noun
That is Romeo Lavia’s best quality in midfield, while Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos and Enzo Fernandez can all see and play vertical passes into the final third — though the latter may well be better utilised as one of the No 10s.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Seminole Ridge junior quarterback Aubrey Fogel had 275 passing yards and four touchdown passes to lift the Hawks.
—Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Coleman also dropped a couple of passes, but the talented receiver, teaming with equally talented Jayvon Funnye made some big plays.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
Donald’s aggressive, penetrating style differed from the traditional approach used by many interior defenders, who use their bulk to clog running lanes and absorb blockers and raise their arms to try to deflect passes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
Burkle and Brahmer make for an impressive tight end duo that combined to catch 63 passes last season.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Annual passes often include perks like free guest tickets and discounts on food and merchandise.
—Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
Indeed, Cantona services fans generously with plenty of great clips of our hero making extraordinary goals and passes, remonstrating with authorities and, best of all, taking his shirt off in his younger years.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Some answers were offered at the SDSU practice field during Saturday evening’s scrimmage, which was highlighted by 60- and 70-yard passes from junior transfer quarterback Jayden Denegal to senior transfer wide receiver Myles Kitt-Denton.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passes
Verb
-
Jesus Vasquez hands a petition to another student.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
The partnership hands a big win to OpenAI’s biggest competitor at the peak of Musk’s public feud with OpenAI, and provides a roadmap to where the relationship between Musk and Anthropic could head next.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
When the game stops, it will be called on account of darkness.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Many guests are juggling packed itineraries—pyramid visits, museum stops, Nile cruise transfers—and the staff are well practiced at coordinating drivers, guides, and early departures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
As Raskar explained that in India, digital public infrastructure is leading to a reinvention of payment systems, Rai mentioned the levels of adoption of device technology, which leaves the population more open to apps.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Johnson’s Anaia is much sweeter, and though there’s some ferocity inside her too, the movie leaves her in a compassionate, optimistic place.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Even if Florida enacts a GOP-friendlier map in a special legislative session set for April 28, the worst possible outcome from the redistricting fight now looks like a national dead heat.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Attorney General enacts California’s laws and can bring litigation against companies or the federal government on behalf of state residents.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Whatever happens in the months ahead though, signing at least one new midfielder should be a priority.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
When that happens, clubs can build real campaigns.—
Shivaas Gulati,
Sportico.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The Jaguars will play at Camping World Stadium in Orlando in 2027 while their home field, EverBank Stadium, undergoes major renovations.—
Scott Turick,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
On loan from the Bayeux Museum in Normandy while that museum undergoes renovations, the Bayeux Tapestry will be on view at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet Cornelius Krull, the patriarch, speaks only a German dialect and never utters more than two words.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
-
The phrase also sometimes is used as a battle cry and has been employed by those with a nefarious agenda to instill fear of anyone who utters it and to raise concerns about Islam itself, according to Muslim scholars and civil rights advocates.—
Michelle Krupa,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Footloose is also name-checked, which is technically not a horror movie but is about a small town that stubbornly refuses to change.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
Hunter is stubborn, arrogant and gifted enough to play for the Briar hockey team, yet refuses to for reasons the show has yet to reveal.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
