passing off

present participle of pass off
as in palming off
to offer (something fake, useless, or inferior) as genuine, useful, or valuable the con man tried to pass off a piece of blue glass as a sapphire

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of passing off The indictment also accused him of intentionally submitting checks drawn on insufficient funds and allegedly passing off another person’s Internet Movie Database Page as his own to convince one victim of his industry bona fides. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing off
Verb
  • Festival is an ideal place for those wishing for a warm welcome – but cold.
    Mattias Goldmann, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • King Charles and Prince Harry have been taking steps towards reconciliation, but everyone understands that, after the issues the two have had, ending their feud isn’t just a matter of wishing it.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Their shared belief in the importance of cinema breaks through the screen, contagiously inflicting those watching, striking a hopeful tone to cherish and admire that also prevents the film from appearing earnest and naive.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
  • For now, there’s much more acute pain Julia and Henry are inflicting upon us.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • China has taken a regulatory lead, imposing strict VOC emission limits inside vehicle cabins.
    Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • This postcard, which portrays the imposing structure in an unusually upbeat way is a great example of Tetricolor.
    Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing%20off. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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