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
Kavitha Surana, ProPublica, 26 May 2026
Pittman and Bernard profile as good separators too, which should suit Rodgers' tendency to rely on the quick passing game to move the chains.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 June 2026
On the chart dated May 14, 2016, following his unexpected passing, 19 releases bearing his name landed on the list.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
Western will host its passing tournament June 6.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
There was only the risk of infection, growing every passing hour.
—Kavitha Surana, ProPublica, 26 May 2026
Pittman and Bernard profile as good separators too, which should suit Rodgers' tendency to rely on the quick passing game to move the chains.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Noun
The Kings organization issued a statement mourning Adelman's passing, describing him as a central figure in defining an era of Sacramento basketball.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 June 2026
On the chart dated May 14, 2016, following his unexpected passing, 19 releases bearing his name landed on the list.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
In retirement, Lemieux formed a friendship with McCarty, who learned of Lemieux’s passing from Draper.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
Western will host its passing tournament June 6.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
Don’t miss Alcopop’s Black Mango Watermelon, Seongju Chamoe and Watermelon Ice Pop; Matcha Latte, with flash-frozen local herbs and a hand-cut ice diamond; and Journey, a concoction that maps a tomato’s global odyssey.—
Melinda Sheckells,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Emergency responders say the toddler's death is a tragic reminder of how dangerous the water is, especially at this time of year when peak water flows are being recorded.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Leach's final coaching stop was at Mississippi State before his death in December 2022.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
Los Angeles County voters will cast ballots Tuesday in two very different races for county supervisor.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
At least one watchdog group warned the legislation could poke more holes into the property tax base for very large developers across the state, not just the Bears.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Nye stopped short of handing a full victory to Boise.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
3 June 2026
-
First, tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act generated larger-than-usual refunds earlier this year, effectively handing consumers a cash cushion just as income was weakening.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The latest the series can end is June 17; the shield stopping him from answering questions — not just about his past, but his present and future — is likely to stay in place.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Texas is split down the middle on which issue should take priority — stopping voter fraud or preventing eligible citizens from being turned away at the ballot box — as a poll shows the split is not a sign of moderation but of deep partisan polarization.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
My father was running the skid steer outside, clearing the snow, leaving dirty white mounds to either side of the driveway that led from the house out to the range road.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Consequently, rising inflation has steadily eroded real purchasing power, leaving 59 percent of Americans without sufficient savings to absorb a minor financial shock, such as a $1,000 emergency.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The council is responsible for adopting the city budget, approving contracts, enacting local laws and representing residents on issues ranging from housing and homelessness to public safety and economic development.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
3 June 2026
-
The law prevents cities from enacting ordinances that dictate wage levels or working hours for employers.—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
And ceasefire, allowing complete unfettered access, and most importantly, a full respect for humanitarian law and humanitarian aid workers, and that simply isn't happening at all right now.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
Out with the Old, in with the Letterboxd Hollywood has always been obsessed with youth, but the current generational turnover happening inside entertainment has been especially disorienting for several reasons.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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