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
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Considering how Sarkisian traditionally uses his tight ends in the passing game, Masunas or one of the younger tight ends will have an opportunity to grab the starting role.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
Drake Maye just became the first player under the age of 24, and fourth player in NFL history, with 200-plus passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in eight consecutive games.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
People have decided who is going to be the next person, and then just passing down the baton.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
So can Denver dial up McLaughlin’s usage in the run game, continue to get Harvey some touches out of the backfield and in the passing game and find the balance without being predictable?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Considering how Sarkisian traditionally uses his tight ends in the passing game, Masunas or one of the younger tight ends will have an opportunity to grab the starting role.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
There’s more force and power in his passing.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
Drake Maye just became the first player under the age of 24, and fourth player in NFL history, with 200-plus passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in eight consecutive games.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Thomas, a sophomore, passed for 299 yards and three touchdowns and finished the season with 3,276 yards passing and 27 touchdowns.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
People have decided who is going to be the next person, and then just passing down the baton.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
Campaign ads, showing images of flash-mob robberies, promised voters that harsher penalties would put an end to basic items being locked away in display cases and funnel people repeatedly arrested for drug offenses in treatment.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
And many supermarkets offer bags of flash-frozen cranberries year-round.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Fuentes is facing one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sandoval had not been charged as of Thursday in the teen’s death, according to police.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The senior administration official said the transfer would happen quickly because Venezuela’s crude is very heavy, which means it can’t be stored for long.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Pipes and sewers can be very dangerous for pets and wildlife and Roto-Rooter, with specialized equipment and personnel, has become a go-to call to save cats, dogs, turtles and more.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Case for Hiring a Pro Hiring a pet transporter means handing the leash—temporarily—to someone trained for the job.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
How to Watch Suns vs Warriors Phoenix went supernova from the floor on Sunday night in handing the visiting San Antonio Spurs their first loss with a 130-118 decision.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Federal judge Julia Kobick in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction stopping the Administration from enforcing the policy against Orr and six other individual plaintiffs in April.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Now, a passenger aircraft that can complete make the journey without stopping is in the final stages of construction, Qantas announced on Friday, releasing first images of the plane as it is assembled.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Limited backup power could knock out internet access, leaving millions to wait for instant answers.—
Jamie Yuccas,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Vatti said Diamantis made an $80,000 payment on the day after signing the retainer and made an additional six payments totalling $105,000 between August 2024 and February 2025, leaving the $65,000 balance.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Starring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough as the psychotic couple enacting his redemption plan, the film is described as a sharp social commentary.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Costco was among the largest of more than 1,000 retailers that sued, arguing that the president had exceeded his emergency powers in enacting some of the tariffs.—
Shelly Banjo,
semafor.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts are happening.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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