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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of passes
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 May 2026
The Salmon River Scenic Byway passes through some of Idaho’s most remote regions.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Gas prices hit a four-year high, as the war with Iran passes the 60-day mark.
—NBC news, 3 May 2026
Trump has offered a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where about a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and natural gas typically passes, along with fertilizer badly needed by farmers around the world.
—Adam Schreck, Fortune, 3 May 2026
Eta Aquarid meteors can be spotted from April 19 to May 28 as Earth passes through the debris trail left in the wake of Halley's Comet as the comet races along its 76-year orbit.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026
About a fifth of the world's trade in oil and natural gas typically passes through the strait at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in peacetime.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson, left, passes the ball against Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the second half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Orlando, Fla.
—CBS News, 2 May 2026
Sophomore Nate Roberts is a 6-5, 240-pounder who has blocking experience and showed off versatility catching passes in the spring.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Becht said either player could have been the starter, but Plummer won the job and then proceeded to go out and complete 70 percent of his passes in the first four games as the Storm rolled out to a 4-0 start, solidifying himself as the Storm quarterback.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
In Joly, the Broncos have added a player who caught at least 43 passes in each of his last three college seasons.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Only 40,000 rail passes will be available per match, and approximately 10,000 fans will be able to take the shuttle buses.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 1 May 2026
But while Louis Moore was exemplary in 2025 — picking off six passes and helping anchor a sturdy secondary on Indiana’s national championship team — NFL evaluators have doubts about whether his modest size (5-10, 191) and limited athleticism will lend itself to a long-term NFL career.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
If the Senate version passes, the bill goes to a reconciliation committee of House and Senate members to hammer out differences.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026
The runs were a result of the free passes there (back to back walks to begin the fourth).
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Particularly the kind of speed that can result in passes 20-plus yards down the field.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
The Salmon River Scenic Byway passes through some of Idaho’s most remote regions.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Gas prices hit a four-year high, as the war with Iran passes the 60-day mark.
—NBC news, 3 May 2026
Trump has offered a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where about a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and natural gas typically passes, along with fertilizer badly needed by farmers around the world.
—Adam Schreck, Fortune, 3 May 2026
Eta Aquarid meteors can be spotted from April 19 to May 28 as Earth passes through the debris trail left in the wake of Halley's Comet as the comet races along its 76-year orbit.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026
About a fifth of the world's trade in oil and natural gas typically passes through the strait at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in peacetime.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson, left, passes the ball against Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the second half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Orlando, Fla.
—CBS News, 2 May 2026
Sophomore Nate Roberts is a 6-5, 240-pounder who has blocking experience and showed off versatility catching passes in the spring.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
On defense, cornerback Osiris Gilbert broke up multiple passes and had a few hard hits, linebacker Samuel Omosigho earned a sack, and linebacker Malaki Soliai-Tui forced a fumble.
—Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Becht said either player could have been the starter, but Plummer won the job and then proceeded to go out and complete 70 percent of his passes in the first four games as the Storm rolled out to a 4-0 start, solidifying himself as the Storm quarterback.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
In Joly, the Broncos have added a player who caught at least 43 passes in each of his last three college seasons.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Only 40,000 rail passes will be available per match, and approximately 10,000 fans will be able to take the shuttle buses.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 1 May 2026
But while Louis Moore was exemplary in 2025 — picking off six passes and helping anchor a sturdy secondary on Indiana’s national championship team — NFL evaluators have doubts about whether his modest size (5-10, 191) and limited athleticism will lend itself to a long-term NFL career.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
If the Senate version passes, the bill goes to a reconciliation committee of House and Senate members to hammer out differences.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026
The runs were a result of the free passes there (back to back walks to begin the fourth).
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Particularly the kind of speed that can result in passes 20-plus yards down the field.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passes
Verb
-
Leon has also questioned the funding mechanism, which calls on the Trust to collect hundreds of millions in private donations and turn the money over to the NPS, which then hands it off to the White House.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But its sense of Kevin’s journey from a shy, kept cat to one ready for whatever life hands him is clear, a North Star to guide all the otherwise enjoyable chaos.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Luke then successfully stops two blasts from the training remote while not being able to see.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Kathryn Stockett, who published her blockbuster novel The Help in 2009, is back with her first new book in 17 years—The Calamity Club—and she’s headed to Alabama on one of her first book tour stops.—
Southern Living Editors,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
That company is a subsidiary of CBD American Shaman, the nationwide retail empire run by Vince Sanders, who claims credit for developing 7-OH, a potent gas station opioid that researchers consider to be more addictive than the kratom leaves it is derived from.—
Matthew Kelly
May 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
-
And every one squandered leaves a mark, takes its toll, ages you just a bit — and takes you one year closer to hockey oblivion.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
1 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
-
All the statute requires is that DHS solicit and receive other agencies' views; Congress left the Executive Branch to resolve how that process happens and how much detail other agencies provide.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
And when that happens, voters are left to question whether the outcome of an election reflects their voice or the lines that were drawn around it.—
Dan Daley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Each robot undergoes over 80 functional tests, including stress and burn-in exercises such as squats and jogging, to eliminate early failures.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Major ratings agencies Fitch and S&P have Paramount debt at junk status as the merger undergoes final review.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 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
-
In the nation’s fastest-gentrifying city, Black DC refuses quiet erasure.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
-
The seat is open, but no election has been called, not because the people didn’t care, but because the governor refuses to act.—
Daryl Campbell,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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