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
S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
As Lukaku tries to find a passing option, McTominay dashes into the vacant space in midfield…
… to receive the ball from his centre-forward.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Debby Rice, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
Since Jimmy’s passing, the family hasn’t quite found the heart to welcome a new dog into their life just yet.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 22 June 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
So far, thanks to his disastrous overseas tariffs adventures and now this bloated and unruly spending bill, prosperity gets further from us with every passing day.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
As Lukaku tries to find a passing option, McTominay dashes into the vacant space in midfield…
… to receive the ball from his centre-forward.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
And with the recent passing of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys’ performance at the winery on Aug. 17 is sure to be a sellout.
—Debby Rice, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
Since Jimmy’s passing, the family hasn’t quite found the heart to welcome a new dog into their life just yet.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 22 June 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
-
Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
When the news broke of his death on Jan. 10, 2016, fans across the globe grieved and paid tribute to the legend.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
21 June 2025
-
There were five jail deaths in 2024 and nine in 2023, after 19 in 2022 and 16 in 2021.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
Adverb
-
According to Ballerini, Kahan said yes at the very last minute.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
19 June 2025
-
And at the very top, 15 centibillionaires, less than 1% of the group, boast a combined net worth of $2.4 trillion.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
19 June 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 wasted a superb opening round with two careless double bogeys leaving him seven shots behind.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
But the moderates also emphasized that their vote for the final bill would hinge on Johnson’s ability to keep his word about leaving Medicaid benefits untouched.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
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 2 Jul. 2025.
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