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
Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 31 May 2026
Havertz might be preferred at No 9 given the technical level of Arsenal’s opposition, as well as PSG’s pressing capabilities, which might require longer passes into the front line to circumnavigate.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 May 2026
The oven lends an exquisite depth to everything that passes through it—a roundness and tang, a kiss of smolder.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
The heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group and World Trade Organization also forecast further economic damage over the summer months if the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply typically passes, is not reopened.
—Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
That metabolite is then excreted in urine, enters sewage systems, passes through wastewater treatment plants and, eventually, makes its way back into local rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Hardly a week passes without news of another hyperscaler spending billions of dollars on AI chips.
—Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 30 May 2026
On one side, tall windows frame views of the surrounding greenery; on the other, the route passes a sequence of galleries and activity spaces.
—Bridget Borgobello
may 30, New Atlas, 30 May 2026
That means that even once a storm passes, you may be stuck in your building for several days.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Klubnik’s last four passes were to tight ends, including two completions to Woods.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Dreyer has six goals, nine assists and an MLS-leading 44 key passes, proof that the top end of San Diego’s front line still plays at a Supporters’ Shield-contender level.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Tickets for Universal Kids Resort in Frisco Universal Kids Resort sells one-day, two-day and annual passes.
—Ella Gonzales
may 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
The war and subsequent closure of the strait, a key trade route through which some 20% of the world's oil passes, has sent energy prices soaring over the last three months.
—Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 29 May 2026
Better yet, Cole didn’t walk any Royals after issuing three free passes in his first start.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
With a penchant for scoring curling free kicks and providing pinpoint passes, David Beckham became one of England’s most iconic players.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
McNown set single season UCLA records for passing yards (3,470), touchdown passes (25), and total offense (3,652).
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Verb
Purito’s vitamin C serum, though, passes with flying colors through every pore-clogging ingredient checker.
—Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 31 May 2026
Havertz might be preferred at No 9 given the technical level of Arsenal’s opposition, as well as PSG’s pressing capabilities, which might require longer passes into the front line to circumnavigate.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 May 2026
The oven lends an exquisite depth to everything that passes through it—a roundness and tang, a kiss of smolder.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
The heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group and World Trade Organization also forecast further economic damage over the summer months if the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply typically passes, is not reopened.
—Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
That metabolite is then excreted in urine, enters sewage systems, passes through wastewater treatment plants and, eventually, makes its way back into local rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Hardly a week passes without news of another hyperscaler spending billions of dollars on AI chips.
—Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 30 May 2026
On one side, tall windows frame views of the surrounding greenery; on the other, the route passes a sequence of galleries and activity spaces.
—Bridget Borgobello
may 30, New Atlas, 30 May 2026
That means that even once a storm passes, you may be stuck in your building for several days.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
Noun
At Iowa, Clark often operated as both her team's primary scorer and primary facilitator, routinely attempting difficult passes that few players would even consider.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Klubnik’s last four passes were to tight ends, including two completions to Woods.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Dreyer has six goals, nine assists and an MLS-leading 44 key passes, proof that the top end of San Diego’s front line still plays at a Supporters’ Shield-contender level.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Tickets for Universal Kids Resort in Frisco Universal Kids Resort sells one-day, two-day and annual passes.
—Ella Gonzales
may 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
The war and subsequent closure of the strait, a key trade route through which some 20% of the world's oil passes, has sent energy prices soaring over the last three months.
—Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 29 May 2026
Better yet, Cole didn’t walk any Royals after issuing three free passes in his first start.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
With a penchant for scoring curling free kicks and providing pinpoint passes, David Beckham became one of England’s most iconic players.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
McNown set single season UCLA records for passing yards (3,470), touchdown passes (25), and total offense (3,652).
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passes
Verb
-
Mk2 is not a place that hands its screens to anyone.—
Tyler Chou,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
At the end of the presentation, a woman hands the hitmaker a bouquet of flowers as the star waves to the crowd and dances.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The city’s easy-to-use tram system has stops just two blocks away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Four stops along the way offer free refreshments from highlighted local businesses.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Automating the routine layer of any job — the retrieval, the scheduling, the mechanical assembly — leaves behind work that requires judgment, creativity and autonomy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Hair tinsel is also offered, and everyone leaves with a swag bag.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead, the measure freezes corporate net operating loss and enacts taxes on social media companies, digital assets, fantasy sports, tobacco and sports betting on prediction market websites.—
Lauren Victory,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
The Act would cease to apply the moment the federal government enacts overlapping requirements.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Today, the property is a best-case example of the magic that happens when old meets new.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
And unlike in-person voting, where verification happens upfront, mail-in ballots must be inspected and have signatures verified.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Asava expression begins in ex-bourbon casks and then undergoes secondary maturation in casks seasoned with Indian Cabernet Sauvignon.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Cracks can develop over time as the fruit ages or undergoes stress during growth, transportation, or storage.—
Aksha Mittapalli,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Halfway through, Mando is captured by Clone Wars’ bounty hunter Embo, who was voiced by Filoni on the show but never utters so much as a single line of dialogue here.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
22 May 2026
-
Yet Cornelius Krull, the patriarch, speaks only a German dialect and never utters more than two words.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The film exists because the dead deserve to be witnessed and because the families inside Iran, who cannot speak, deserve someone outside who refuses to forget.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
2 June 2026
-
Walt asks Jesse to kill him, but Jesse refuses and tells him to do it himself.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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