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
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
The trail passes through burn areas from massive wildfires, now sprinkled with young lodgepole pines and wildflowers.
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Uncertainty around the closures has left workers perplexed and concerned that management is moving forward with plans to enact sweeping cuts before Congress passes a funding bill.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
If the proposition passes, Grose added, a large margin of support could signal to Democratic donors that there's enthusiasm for the party -- and could impact whether other blue or red states decide to redraw their congressional maps as well.
—ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
Every runner any of us passes is a point for the team.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
However, once the person passes, the trust becomes irrevocable since there’s no longer anyone who can change it, and the property’s protected for heirs.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Stafford has thrown nine touchdown passes the past two weeks, when the Rams have used more two- and three-tight end sets than ever under coach Sean McVay.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
But in the past four games, Becht has four touchdown passes and five interceptions and has had an ESPN Total QBR below 50 in each game.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
Specifically, Bills 2024 second-round safety Cole Bishop had an outstanding day, finishing with a tackle for loss and three passes defensed in big spots.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, and running back Kyren Williams rushed for 114 yards and a score.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
More than 20 Phoenix and Scottsdale resorts offer spa passes.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Sayin threw just 12 passes in 2024, but this year he's made the most of his first full season as the Buckeyes' full-time starter.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Max Cutforth, a Nampa native and Skyview High graduate, couldn’t complete 50% of his passes (14-for-29), and threw for just 106 yards while tossing a pair of interceptions.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 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
In California, Gavin Newsom‘s presidential ambitions stand to get a boost if his redistricting initiative, Proposition 50, passes.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
The trail passes through burn areas from massive wildfires, now sprinkled with young lodgepole pines and wildflowers.
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Uncertainty around the closures has left workers perplexed and concerned that management is moving forward with plans to enact sweeping cuts before Congress passes a funding bill.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
If the proposition passes, Grose added, a large margin of support could signal to Democratic donors that there's enthusiasm for the party -- and could impact whether other blue or red states decide to redraw their congressional maps as well.
—ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
Every runner any of us passes is a point for the team.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
However, once the person passes, the trust becomes irrevocable since there’s no longer anyone who can change it, and the property’s protected for heirs.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Stafford has thrown nine touchdown passes the past two weeks, when the Rams have used more two- and three-tight end sets than ever under coach Sean McVay.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
Toney caught a team-high nine passes and had 70 yards to bump his season totals to 52 catches and 632 yards.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
But in the past four games, Becht has four touchdown passes and five interceptions and has had an ESPN Total QBR below 50 in each game.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
Specifically, Bills 2024 second-round safety Cole Bishop had an outstanding day, finishing with a tackle for loss and three passes defensed in big spots.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, and running back Kyren Williams rushed for 114 yards and a score.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
More than 20 Phoenix and Scottsdale resorts offer spa passes.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Sayin threw just 12 passes in 2024, but this year he's made the most of his first full season as the Buckeyes' full-time starter.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Max Cutforth, a Nampa native and Skyview High graduate, couldn’t complete 50% of his passes (14-for-29), and threw for just 106 yards while tossing a pair of interceptions.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 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
-
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
-
The defeat, Nuno Espirito Santo’s first win as West Ham coach, leaves Newcastle 13th, five points ahead of West Ham in 18th and 13 points behind league leaders Arsenal.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Parsley leaves also turn bitter after bolting.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Eighteen states have passed bills opting to adopt daylight saving time as the permanent standard time, but the laws can’t go into effect until the federal government enacts similar legislation.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
-
What Green Crew enacts outdoors, the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America (CPA-NA) advances in therapy rooms and community dialogues.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 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
-
Every Jono Pandolfi piece is hand-thrown and undergoes a unique production process, and Jono and his team are constantly experimenting with new glazes, techniques, and forms.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
-
This material then undergoes chemical treatment, where Lithion’s process extracts and refines up to 95 percent of battery materials and 98 percent of critical minerals for reuse in new batteries.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 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
-
Many Democrats have adopted a more brash and confrontational style of politics, which refuses to keep anything quiet.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Paul Thomas Anderson fits a generation’s worth of cineplex joys into One Battle After Another, but the revolution refuses to get off the couch.—
Jonathan Lethem,
The New York Review of Books,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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