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
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Recent Examples of passes
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Most of us who are actually alive would, y’know, instead say the name of the restaurant; such is the shorthand understanding that passes between two people who have known each other for some time.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
The national flag of China waves in the wind at a container terminal on the Yangtze River, as a cargo ship carrying containers passes through the river channel in front of dockside cranes, on August 12, 2025 in Chongqing, China.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
When to Overseed Wait until the heat of summer passes to overseed in both northern and southern regions.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
The Grand Teton Pathway passes through the park, stretching from Jackson to Antelope Flats Road.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
So, to observe them, astronomers rely on stellar occultations — moments when an object passes between them and a background star.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Getty Images A week removed from attempting 46 passes at home, Drake Maye attempted just 23 passes on the road.
—Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Jonathan Taylor powered the ground game with 165 rushing yards and caught two passes, including Jones’ touchdown throw in the second quarter.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Jones had four explosive passes in the first half alone that totaled 147 yards.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Cameron Marshall caught two scoring passes.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Dash Luke caught five passes totaling 80 yards and had the Bears’ TD in the first quarter.
—Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
The play of the secondary contniued to be concerning, as Earle regularly had time to find his receivers and completed over 70% of his passes.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
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
As one example, a recent study found that in San Diego County, rents increase by more than $1,700 per unit annually when a city passes a Tenant Protection Ordinance.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Most of us who are actually alive would, y’know, instead say the name of the restaurant; such is the shorthand understanding that passes between two people who have known each other for some time.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
The national flag of China waves in the wind at a container terminal on the Yangtze River, as a cargo ship carrying containers passes through the river channel in front of dockside cranes, on August 12, 2025 in Chongqing, China.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
When to Overseed Wait until the heat of summer passes to overseed in both northern and southern regions.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
The Grand Teton Pathway passes through the park, stretching from Jackson to Antelope Flats Road.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
So, to observe them, astronomers rely on stellar occultations — moments when an object passes between them and a background star.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Los Angeles decided to unleash Justin Herbert, who delivered with 318 passing yards and three touchdown passes, two of which went to Quentin Johnston.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Getty Images A week removed from attempting 46 passes at home, Drake Maye attempted just 23 passes on the road.
—Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Jonathan Taylor powered the ground game with 165 rushing yards and caught two passes, including Jones’ touchdown throw in the second quarter.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Jones had four explosive passes in the first half alone that totaled 147 yards.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Cameron Marshall caught two scoring passes.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Dash Luke caught five passes totaling 80 yards and had the Bears’ TD in the first quarter.
—Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
The play of the secondary contniued to be concerning, as Earle regularly had time to find his receivers and completed over 70% of his passes.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
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
-
The scandal also hands fresh ammunition to Nigel Farage’s far-right Reform Party, which is already leading in the polls.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Myke hands her her acoustic guitar and gives her a kiss.—
Allison P. Davis,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When policy, innovation, and business insight align, CCU stops being a piece of green rhetoric and becomes good business.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The buck stops with the humans.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her athletic resume leaves small room for debate on who, besides her, can be crowned the greatest female sprinter of all time.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Sometimes, leaves even turn purple, notes the Chicago Botanic Garden.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Commissioners’ closest vote involved the portion of the budget legislation that enacts a less than 1% increase in household trash fees.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The rule also increases the maximum annual cost-sharing limitation and enacts stricter income-verification measures.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
But what happens after the selfie is taken?—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In New Zealand, the pūriri moth undergoes a remarkably long journey to adulthood.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 9,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Back at SeaWorld, Labor Day weekend marked the last performances in the Dolphin Amphitheater until early 2026, as the stadium undergoes a renovation.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
To use the Breathalyzer app by Outreach Smartphone Monitoring or by House Arrest App, the user utters a pass phrase and then blows into the Breathalyzer while the app captures and transmits a short video along with the user’s GPS location to a corrections officer.—
Robert S. Gable,
IEEE Spectrum,
20 July 2017
Verb
-
Although many philosophers and theologians accept mortality as an inevitable and indeed defining feature of human existence, Kurzweil refuses to accept this line of thinking.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Dusk refuses, choosing ruin instead.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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