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
Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Roughly one-fifth of global daily oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow corridor along Iran’s coastline that has become a critical pressure point in the current conflict.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes through it, but attacks on ships and threats of further strikes have stopped nearly all tanker traffic.
—Alon Bernstein, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Ninety percent of Saudi oil passes through there.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Dallas Area Rapid Transit operates a couple of bus routes near the mall, but no train line passes through.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
About one-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes through the narrow waterway, but much of that supply is now stranded.
—Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Recognizing that the Billikens had little choice but to double him – especially after Avila picked up two fouls in five minutes – Mara zipped passes to the teammates who invariably were left open.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Nearly a fifth of the world's oil supply typically passes through this vital oil export route.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 15 Mar. 2026
Jason Breslow, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
Other regional theme parks around the country also have their own versions of skip-the-line passes.
—Megan Dubois, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
McNeill threw for 1,972 yards while completing 62 percent of his passes and contributing 24 total touchdowns.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Tickets are sold as single-day, two-game passes — or sessions — for Sweet 16 games.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Since the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28, Tehran had asserted its control of the critical waterway, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, by threatening to strike any ships from US-friendly nations that passed through.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Friedman ordered the Pentagon to reinstate Barnes and several other Times reporters' press passes, and vacated key parts of the policy.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
The Aggies have to cut down the free passes against a dangerous lineup to leave Blue Bell this weekend with their first SEC series win.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Safety Jessiah McGrew, a Freshman All-American last year after intercepting four passes, transferred to Arizona State.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes through it, but attacks on ships have stopped nearly all tanker traffic.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Roughly one-fifth of global daily oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow corridor along Iran’s coastline that has become a critical pressure point in the current conflict.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes through it, but attacks on ships and threats of further strikes have stopped nearly all tanker traffic.
—Alon Bernstein, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Ninety percent of Saudi oil passes through there.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Dallas Area Rapid Transit operates a couple of bus routes near the mall, but no train line passes through.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
About one-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes through the narrow waterway, but much of that supply is now stranded.
—Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Recognizing that the Billikens had little choice but to double him – especially after Avila picked up two fouls in five minutes – Mara zipped passes to the teammates who invariably were left open.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Nearly a fifth of the world's oil supply typically passes through this vital oil export route.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
The policy prompted widespread condemnation from press freedom groups, and led multiple news organizations to forfeit their Pentagon press passes, rather than comply.
—Jason Breslow, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
Other regional theme parks around the country also have their own versions of skip-the-line passes.
—Megan Dubois, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
McNeill threw for 1,972 yards while completing 62 percent of his passes and contributing 24 total touchdowns.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Tickets are sold as single-day, two-game passes — or sessions — for Sweet 16 games.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Since the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28, Tehran had asserted its control of the critical waterway, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, by threatening to strike any ships from US-friendly nations that passed through.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Friedman ordered the Pentagon to reinstate Barnes and several other Times reporters' press passes, and vacated key parts of the policy.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
The Aggies have to cut down the free passes against a dangerous lineup to leave Blue Bell this weekend with their first SEC series win.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Safety Jessiah McGrew, a Freshman All-American last year after intercepting four passes, transferred to Arizona State.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passes
Verb
-
Mazloum will officially succeed D’Amaro next Wednesday, the same day that Bob Iger hands the keys to the kingdom to the next generation of leadership.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
But suspicion softens when someone hands you a plate of food.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The decision stops sweeping changes to childhood vaccine recommendations the federal government made in January, including no longer advising all children be vaccinated against the flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The Padres expected there to be starts and stops along with setbacks and surges in bringing Joe Musgrove back from Tommy John surgery this year.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The silky formula layers easily with the rest of your routine and leaves skin with that soft, luminous glass glow K-beauty is famous for.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Allen, while intriguing for the Cowboys for a reason, leaves a little bit to be desired from a projection standpoint.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Waymo doesn’t plan to launch its service in Minnesota until the state enacts new laws to set up basic regulations.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
9 Mar. 2026
-
However, the laws can’t go into effect until the federal government enacts similar legislation, and the 2023 version of the bill fizzled out in a congressional committee.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is where the tax-free growth actually happens, so choosing and allocating investments is the step that makes the Roth worth opening.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Also, stars in this frenzied state aren’t terribly stable; the fusion rate can be tempestuous, and the star undergoes incredibly violent paroxysms.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The project arrives as West Palm Beach undergoes a dramatic transformation.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Falduto utters the words as his character Billy to Dewey, playing the opinionated student who becomes the stylist for the band.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
There’s no denying that Caurón leans into the sentimental here and elsewhere, yet there’s a strong gust of catharsis that García Treviño transmits as Liborio’s bloodied body refuses to surrender.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But this team refuses to follow that path.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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