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.
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Recent Examples of passes
Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
But if the referendum passes, the charter change would apply to land valued over $500,000 regardless of size.
—Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
The route passes through 75 villages, the Dana Biosphere Reserve, and nomadic Bedouin camps.
—Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
Every morning for eight days in early July, the world-famous running of the bulls passes through here.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
To explain it in NFL terms – where Alexander-Arnold was essentially a quarterback, playing passes forward from deep, his replacement Jeremie Frimpong is more of a wide receiver, looking to get on the end of passes much higher up the field.
—Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Speaking from Toronto, where he is currently based, Persaud emphasized that while pre-storm aid delivery is limited due to worsening conditions, the real challenge will begin after the hurricane passes.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Music directors Jordan Summers and Nick Vincent did a classic song that passes too quickly on record a great service by extending it by a few choruses, giving Valentine a chance to wring the emotion out of it that was only inherent in Zevon’s necessarily simpler delivery.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
For the uninitiated, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly over the sun, briefly bringing viewers on earth into total darkness as a ring of light appears in the sky.
—Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Another good day for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who is the first player in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 135-or-higher in five of his team’s first eight games of a season.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Rodgers was 24-of-36 with two touchdown passes and 219 passing yards.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
As time passes, pressure increases, communication falters, and every decision carries the weight of potential destruction.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2025
The head coach is continuing to favour long, direct passes into attack, and his team look stronger defensively since adjusting their structure when out of possession.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Ian Brooke and Quimm Fuentes caught TD passes.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Carson Beck was 5/5 for 47 yards on that drive but 42 of those yards came on the first two passes — 10 yards to Malachi Toney and 32 yards to Toney Johnson.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
According to the same source, Locatelli also completed a game-high 127 passes and created two clear scoring opportunities for his team-mates before using a post-match interview to credit the impact Tudor’s arrival has had.
—Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
If diplomatic assurances succeed in inducing mutual restraint, and 2027 passes without incident, then a new stability in the western Pacific could take hold, anchoring the security and prosperity of a vital and dynamic region.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
But if the referendum passes, the charter change would apply to land valued over $500,000 regardless of size.
—Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
The route passes through 75 villages, the Dana Biosphere Reserve, and nomadic Bedouin camps.
—Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
Every morning for eight days in early July, the world-famous running of the bulls passes through here.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
To explain it in NFL terms – where Alexander-Arnold was essentially a quarterback, playing passes forward from deep, his replacement Jeremie Frimpong is more of a wide receiver, looking to get on the end of passes much higher up the field.
—Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Speaking from Toronto, where he is currently based, Persaud emphasized that while pre-storm aid delivery is limited due to worsening conditions, the real challenge will begin after the hurricane passes.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Music directors Jordan Summers and Nick Vincent did a classic song that passes too quickly on record a great service by extending it by a few choruses, giving Valentine a chance to wring the emotion out of it that was only inherent in Zevon’s necessarily simpler delivery.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
For the uninitiated, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly over the sun, briefly bringing viewers on earth into total darkness as a ring of light appears in the sky.
—Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
The Vikings are most likely looking for a veteran considering McCarthy has started just two games in his career and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer has attempted just eight passes this season, and those are the only two signal-callers currently on Minnesota's roster.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Another good day for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who is the first player in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 135-or-higher in five of his team’s first eight games of a season.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Rodgers was 24-of-36 with two touchdown passes and 219 passing yards.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
As time passes, pressure increases, communication falters, and every decision carries the weight of potential destruction.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2025
The head coach is continuing to favour long, direct passes into attack, and his team look stronger defensively since adjusting their structure when out of possession.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Ian Brooke and Quimm Fuentes caught TD passes.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Carson Beck was 5/5 for 47 yards on that drive but 42 of those yards came on the first two passes — 10 yards to Malachi Toney and 32 yards to Toney Johnson.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
According to the same source, Locatelli also completed a game-high 127 passes and created two clear scoring opportunities for his team-mates before using a post-match interview to credit the impact Tudor’s arrival has had.
—Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passes
Verb
-
He is whisked away from a charity basketball event to his Air Force One, where Lieutenant Commander Robert Reeves (Jonah Hauer-King) hands him the Black Bag and instructs him to choose which retaliatory strike option to approve.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Sullivan then hands Cameron his radio and tells him to take Jones to the medic truck.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Still, this has always been a very personal conflict between Yennefer and Vilgefortz, which is why Vilgefortz finally stops letting his minions do all the fighting and jumps through the portal himself.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Your insides become weightless, like when a fast elevator suddenly stops, or a plane drops from turbulence.—
Stephanie Land,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Supporters call Shalom Wildlife zoo a 'magical place' While some critics say Wisconsin's loose oversight leaves too many gaps, Shalom's supporters see a very different story.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
That leaves Watson entering the season with uncertainty ahead.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ibsen’s title character is a spoiled, headstrong young woman who, newly and unhappily married to a dull scholar, enacts a Machiavellian scheme to advance his career and her social standing, with catastrophic results.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
-
However, the laws can’t go into effect until the federal government enacts similar legislation, and both the 2025 versions of the bill fizzled out in a congressional committee.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
What happens if the enhanced subsidies expire?—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
-
However, leaking information about fights, movements, and filming activity happens all the time.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Each batch undergoes multiple safety checks, including microbial testing, water quality analysis, and detailed sanitation audits.—
William Jones,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The production interruption comes as Nissan undergoes global restructuring to reduce operating expenses and boost sales.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The first words Mariah Carey utters on her 16th studio album are quintessential diva.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The season 2 finale centered around a tornado destroying the store, when Brett utters his only line of dialogue in the series as the storm approaches.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
If Taiwan refuses to capitulate in a quarantine or blockade, an invasion could follow.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Selma Blair refuses to sugarcoat what life with multiple sclerosis looks like.—
Maggie Ryan,
Flow Space,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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