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Definition of passnext
1
as in to hand
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another could you please pass me the phone?

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as in to undergo
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

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as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass

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pass

2 of 3

noun (1)

pass

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
as in ticket
a small sheet of plastic, paper, or paperboard showing that the bearer has a claim to something (as admittance) a pass to leave the military base for the weekend

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2
3
as in realization
the state of being actual or complete eventually, all their career goals came to pass

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pass
Verb
While visible light and, to an extent, infrared light is blocked by these gas clouds, radio waves can pass through unhindered. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026 Domestic importers do, passing the costs onto consumers. Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
That’s led to questions about whether the California billionaire activism would continue if Mahan’s governor bid fails and the wealth tax passes. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026 Downs is a tone-setter, while Lawrence and Barham give the Cowboys two high-upside pass-rush pieces at a premium position. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass
Verb
  • After a bit of back-and-forth, one of the crew members grabbed a plastic bag and handed it to a tall, radiantly handsome Canadian actor named Marc.
    Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The scrums and after-whistle activity that defined the first period of Game 2 and much of Game 1 simply were not there in Game 3, with the Lightning seemingly content to play between the whistles in an effort to avoid handing the Canadiens power plays in bunches.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Quin Snyder’s Towns wrinkle stalled the Knicks briefly, then stopped working.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The workers get ordered to start jobs, stop jobs, ignore jobs and are other things that turn them into ping pong balls, with the Butleys and the del Valles as the paddles.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Then Cash made another surprising move by leaving Vilade in to hit against Gaddis rather than pinch-hitting lefty Jake Fraley, and that also paid off when Vilade delivered an RBI single up the middle.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The country’s labor market didn’t come to a standstill, as was the case in other countries in the region such as the United Arab Emirates where the vast majority of workers are migrants who tried to leave, but for Rozen, something new and troubling was laid bare.
    Theia Chatelle, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Failure to enact required changes could result in big fines.
    Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
  • At a time when states are enacting an anti-voting agenda to limit who can participate in elections, Maryland must set the standard for an inclusive democracy, not falling short of it.
    Nicole D. Porter, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Game 6 would be back at Kia Center, and a potential Game 7 would return to Detroit, where anything can happen.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Start the conversation, make your point clearly, and let the response shape what happens next instead of adjusting midstream.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That item was expected to undergo testing.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
  • Each robot undergoes over 80 functional tests, including stress and burn-in exercises such as squats and jogging, to eliminate early failures.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Seeking offense, New York plans to designate Tommy Pham for assignment and has agreed to a major league contract with Austin Slater, a pair of people familiar with the move said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decisions were not announced.
    Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Airport Authority has hired investment banks for the issuance and plans to price the multi‑tranche deal as early as Tuesday, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private matters.
    Janice Huang, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But when the symptoms refused to fade, an MRI revealed something far worse.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Others rely on patience, research, and the fact that the ground itself refuses to be reduced to one easy headline.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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