as in flash
lasting only for a short time
his parents were willing to buy him a piano if he demonstrated that his interest in music was more than a passing fancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in death
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities
the precise moment of his passing was recorded by the machines at his bedside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in very
to a great degree
a passing strange turn of events
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in handing
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
could you please pass me the phone?
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in stopping
to come to an end
eventually, the storm passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in leaving
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 enacting
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 happening
to take place
and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in experiencing
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 uttering
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 refusing
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 flying
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of passing
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Today, the success of the CUDA model has led to the creation of a thriving ecosystem that creates network effects that strengthen with each passing year.
—Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 July 2025
At the time Tulane confirmed his passing, Glenn's Stories were still active on his profile — both were reposts of other people's posts, including one from the Utah Jazz's Taylor Hendricks.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 28 July 2025
Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Protests against the monarchy have been on the rise since Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, passing the crown to Charles.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
With each passing year, the evidence mounts that 2005 was more good fortune than anything else.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Today, the success of the CUDA model has led to the creation of a thriving ecosystem that creates network effects that strengthen with each passing year.
—Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
Her passing was met with an outpouring of grief from former students, peers and others in the entertainment sector.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 July 2025
At the time Tulane confirmed his passing, Glenn's Stories were still active on his profile — both were reposts of other people's posts, including one from the Utah Jazz's Taylor Hendricks.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 28 July 2025
Verb
Bowman secured the lead after passing Bubba Wallace, but a costly error on his part helped Larson capitalize and win the race.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Protests against the monarchy have been on the rise since Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, passing the crown to Charles.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
Focus now shifts to Thursday’s weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global’s flash PMI data to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
23 July 2025
-
Thursday's weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global's flash PMI data will be closely assessed to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.—
Nikhil Sharma,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
In the first half of this season, two major league pitchers — Boston’s Liam Hendriks and Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. — received anonymous death threats on social media and denounced them.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
15 July 2025
-
His wife's manner of death has been listed as a homicide.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
14 July 2025
Adverb
-
And a lot of people took it very much to heart and very seriously.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
-
And notably Melvin Capital, which had a very large short position against GameStop, lost billions of dollars and closed because of this trade.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Having been stung by handing O’Neil and his backroom staff long-term deals, only to sack them a few months later, Wolves will be reluctant to commit massive funds to extending Pereira’s deal on the back of just a few months’ work.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Monday’s three-hour finale opens with Grant still in the Dominican Republic after handing roses to Litia and Juliana last week and sending Zoe packing.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That means that any sudden car movements – stopping, accelerating, or turning – could cause the tires to skid on top of the snow.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
-
It can also be caused by significant stress, surgery, or stopping birth control pills.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
McIlroy played it safe, leaving himself a big target and a lob wedge.—
Time,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
-
McIlroy played it safe, leaving himself a big target from 82 yards away and a lob wedge.—
Time,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Attaining Reimbursement Parity While states are making progress in enacting parity laws between telemedicine and in-hospital providers, the exact wording varies by state.—
Jason Povio,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The campaign included videos of the students re-enacting scenes from the film and posting them online with the hashtag #bacontopayson.—
Lori A Bashian Fox News,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
As companies begin to pull back on orders, which is happening already amid the uncertainty related to overseas manufacturing costs and domestic consumer demand, lower supply will potentially serve as a force sending prices higher.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The most significant innovation in labor may now be happening in the shift economy—in hospitals, retail stores, and restaurants—among workers who never had the option to work from home.—
Nirit Cohen,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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