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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
More than 20% of the daily global oil supply passes through the strait and already a half a dozen cargo shipping companies have halted vessels headed to the waterway, raising concerns of wider supply chain issues in the coming weeks.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
The winner of the New Zealand Open receives automatic entry to The Open Championship but as Hillier already has qualified that prize passes to Herbert who will now play at Royal Birkdale from July 16.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
But the bigger risk centers on the potential for Iran to close off the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of all the world’s oil passes through on the way to export markets.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
And the song passes through your throat and through your fingers.
—David Pogue, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
But because there are few viable alternatives for the full volume of oil which passes through the Strait to go by other routes, and because China would need to compete more intensely against other importers, such disruptions would also cause a major spike in global prices.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 28 Feb. 2026
After the expiration date passes, check to see if your butter smells, looks, and tastes fine before tossing it out.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Kyrou’s combination of scoring chances and passes is comparable to Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Brad Marchand, and Connor Bedard, according to AllThreeZones tracking.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Varsity isn’t totally new to Callaway, who emerged last fall for the Eagles in football by rushing for 656 yards and 10 touchdowns and catching 53 passes from Johnson for 722 yards and 11 TDs.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
If Indiana’s law passes, cities will need to streamline processes.
—Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
McElroy caught 20 passes that year for 407 yards (second-most on the team).
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
Energy analysts have warned that closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes, could send Brent crude prices soaring to $100 a barrel.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
Valley Metro has stopped using paper passes.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
These passes, like standard passes, are for parking spaces outside security perimeters.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Both of these options — the Loyalty Presale and Ranger Presale — allow fans to view the full lineup on March 3 before buying passes.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Locals clamor after day passes to the rooftop pool in the summer—a way to cosplay as a European jetsetter for the afternoon—and reservations for heated igloos in the winter.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
More than 20% of the daily global oil supply passes through the strait and already a half a dozen cargo shipping companies have halted vessels headed to the waterway, raising concerns of wider supply chain issues in the coming weeks.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
The winner of the New Zealand Open receives automatic entry to The Open Championship but as Hillier already has qualified that prize passes to Herbert who will now play at Royal Birkdale from July 16.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
But the bigger risk centers on the potential for Iran to close off the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of all the world’s oil passes through on the way to export markets.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
And the song passes through your throat and through your fingers.
—David Pogue, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
But because there are few viable alternatives for the full volume of oil which passes through the Strait to go by other routes, and because China would need to compete more intensely against other importers, such disruptions would also cause a major spike in global prices.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 28 Feb. 2026
After the expiration date passes, check to see if your butter smells, looks, and tastes fine before tossing it out.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Kyrou’s combination of scoring chances and passes is comparable to Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Brad Marchand, and Connor Bedard, according to AllThreeZones tracking.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
But their play early on Saturday didn’t look so simple, as Dallas often made one too many passes and didn’t put enough pressure on Predators goalie Juuse Saros.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Varsity isn’t totally new to Callaway, who emerged last fall for the Eagles in football by rushing for 656 yards and 10 touchdowns and catching 53 passes from Johnson for 722 yards and 11 TDs.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
If Indiana’s law passes, cities will need to streamline processes.
—Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
McElroy caught 20 passes that year for 407 yards (second-most on the team).
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
Energy analysts have warned that closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes, could send Brent crude prices soaring to $100 a barrel.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
Valley Metro has stopped using paper passes.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
These passes, like standard passes, are for parking spaces outside security perimeters.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Both of these options — the Loyalty Presale and Ranger Presale — allow fans to view the full lineup on March 3 before buying passes.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passes
Verb
-
Polls show that the majority of Ukrainians oppose a deal that hands Moscow land.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Dad hands me the paper, the certificate of ownership from the National Archives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
From The Dean, everything is either walkable, a few stops away on the central tram line, or a short, affordable taxi ride—which is the Dubliner’s choice for quick transport.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The perfect partner for the Spray-To-Wipe is the new All Over Deodorant, a whole-body natural deodorant that genuinely stops you from smelling.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That leaves Pernetti as the only candidate without any experience working with the NFLPA.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
These observations are anecdotal for Los Angeles County, as the department traditionally sets up its mosquito traps at the beginning of March and leaves them out until about after Thanksgiving, Kluh said.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rumyantsev’s Joseph in Nirvana, 2026, enacts this tidal project through a parafictional installation about the persistent cult of Stalin in Tajikistan, whose capital was named Stalinabad until 1961.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
What Senate Bill 1 says about citizenship Senate Bill 1 makes changes to state law that comply with the new federal law and enacts several layers of reporting non-citizens to the federal government.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The food and drink As with most of the smaller Parisian hotels, all the food and drink action happens in the same place—the property’s entrance is designed to be a comfortable lounge, bar, and breakfast area.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
If your phone heats up while running AI, imagine what happens inside a massive data center.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The center’s president, Richard Grenell, said a new venue was currently being sought as the building undergoes renovations, beginning around Independence Day.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The concert is presented in partnership with Miami-Dade County Auditorium as part of its Away From Home series, launched while the historic venue undergoes renovations.—
Megan Fitzgerald,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 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
-
The extended rave scene establishes the tone in a film that refuses to parallel park into a specific genre or, for that matter, stick to storytelling norms and expectations.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
However, when an organisation like BAFTA, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passes. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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