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
Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Veach also pointed to upside the Chiefs believe Walker has in the passing game.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Huarte had four service breaks — the last being a cross-court passing shot on match point.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Madonna takes first verse duties before passing it to Carpenter on the single, which has touches of house and disco.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
The inclement weather was a factor early with slick footballs impacting the passing game, but the group’s spirits remained high.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Veach also pointed to upside the Chiefs believe Walker has in the passing game.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Mensah was second in the nation with 3,973 passing yards last season.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Huarte had four service breaks — the last being a cross-court passing shot on match point.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Players will host a basketball skills clinic for boys and girls up to 8th grade, covering dribbling, shooting, passing and gameplay.
—Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Madonna takes first verse duties before passing it to Carpenter on the single, which has touches of house and disco.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 30 Apr. 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
-
Aoun’s confirmation of their deaths comes after the agency earlier reported that the three were trapped beneath rubble.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Based on preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, more than 110,000 crashes in 2025 resulted from unsafe speeds, leading to more than 400 deaths and injuring more than 68,000 people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
No, that stuff is all incredible and very much the result of good fortune in my career.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
What a treat to have both of these very different revivals opening on Broadway in a matter of days.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In an interview with Beauty Inc published last September, the reality star spoke about eventually handing the reins to her daughter Stormi Webster, now 8, one day.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Viewers flooded the clip with reactions, and many were especially moved by the woman’s decision to cool the french fry down before handing it over to the dog.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That led many to believe that, while treatments and crisis care are vital, the goal of suicide prevention needs to expand beyond stopping people from dying to also giving them reasons to live.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Saturday, April 25, Banderas, 65, and Griffith, 68, were spotted leaving Beverly Hills sushi restaurant Matsuhisa arm-in-arm after enjoying dinner together.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The complementary conditioner dials up the moisture with shea butter, murumuru butter, and amino acids to smooth and strengthen—leaving hair soft, bouncy, and ready for styling.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even while enacting revenge on her neighbor, Peet’s on-screen persona remains thoughtfully comfortable.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
29 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
-
Though such meetings between rulers have been happening for centuries, they have been formalized in the modern era, and contemporary state visits usually follow a predictable pattern.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The event, happening through April 27, is the ideal time to invest in high-quality seasonal bedding thanks to the thousands of discounts on comforters, quilts, sheets, and pillows.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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