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
Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
The Dolphins are significantly overhauling their passing game in the first year under Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
What has the company lost with Steve’s passing?
—Julio Ojeda-Zapata, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026
But during the partial government shutdown, lines at TSA inside Hartsfield-Jackson have reached staggering lengths, even passing an hour and a half long on some days.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
Besides the lush vegetation and the occasional passing car, there are no other signs of life.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
The Dolphins are significantly overhauling their passing game in the first year under Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
More than three decades after the passing of Cesar Chavez, America’s farmworkers face unfair treatment on a daily basis.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
What has the company lost with Steve’s passing?
—Julio Ojeda-Zapata, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
However, scientists believe that these elusive particles, which are entirely invisible to traditional telescopes and sensors, are constantly passing through Earth, but their signals are incredibly faint.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026
But during the partial government shutdown, lines at TSA inside Hartsfield-Jackson have reached staggering lengths, even passing an hour and a half long on some days.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
The heaviest rain has shifted eastward, with the island of Molokai under a flash-flood warning on Sunday.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Kansas City will go from springlike warmth to winter fast as a powerful storm sweeps through Sunday, bringing damaging winds, a rapid temperature plunge with flash-freeze risk, and a quick burst of snow that could cut visibility, according to the National Weather Service.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
MacEgan family speaks in court Before Abril was formally sentenced, the court allowed the MacEgan family to speak about the impact of these crimes and the family patriarch’s death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In Dallas-Fort Worth, there were 104,378 births and 53,559 deaths, which means 50,819 of the area’s new residents were a result of natural population change.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
After all, a sandy dance floor calls for a very different footwear strategy than a reception set atop a stone terrace—if shoes are required at all.—
Sarah Zendejas,
Vogue,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The start of the day seemed very normal to me.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Eventually, Roosevelt broke with the Republican Party altogether, running for president on the Bull Moose ticket in 1912, siphoning off votes from his old party and handing the election to Woodrow Wilson.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
This is about handing power to a few massive corporations at the expense of local voices—the very voices that hold power accountable.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After months of due process, in addition to appeals sought by Fort Worth ISD officials, the district was unsuccessful in stopping the state takeover from happening.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
-
That tells us the damage from stopping isn't fully reversible, and that has real implications for the millions of people cycling on and off these drugs.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Coal prices are set globally, leaving importers exposed to swings and disruptions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Long lines continue at airports across the country and in Chicago due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, leaving some Transportation Security Administration officers without pay since the lapse in the Department of Homeland Security funding began in February.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Obama was enacting the two roles that presidents play.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Test the waters by sharing your plan before enacting it, then go forward with respect for people and outcomes.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That transparency now extends into Colorado’s industry regulations after state legislators, motivated by recent scandals, passed new laws to prevent the same kind of situation from happening at funeral homes or mortuaries ever again.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Now, the impossible is happening.—
Silvia Hernandez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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