pass off

as in to wish
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 pass off Once the victim had been convinced that their relative had been arrested, the call was passed off to another scammer at the call center posing as an attorney representing the elderly victim’s relative. Steve Weisman, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Finally, a slice of these tracks are fraudulent, such as from fake artists or fraudsters passing off famous musicians’ music as their own. Bill Rosenblatt, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 The tax will then have to be passed off to the consumer. Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025 Focus on the glass balls, pass off the plastic balls and let the rubber balls bounce. Jay Gauthier Jr., Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pass off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass off
Verb
  • Since the invention of the passport in the early 20th century, identity verification has become a necessity for any person on the planet who wishes to access almost any product or service, as well as for businesses and governments in order to comply with regulations, prevent crime, and more.
    Charles Wayn, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • For Moss’ character, June Osborne, being stripped of all agency left her curled on a closet floor wishing for the end of her life.
    Trish Deitch, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Although the president has been unhappy with Powell for years, his most recent comments came after the Fed chair spoke at an event in Chicago and said the administration’s sweeping tariffs were larger than expected and that the lingering uncertainty could inflict lasting economic damage.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
  • And, in violation of the fundamental separation of power principles on which our Constitution is based, Trump has set himself up as prosecutor, judge, and jury, claiming the right to inflict punishment on specific groups or individuals with the stroke of his pen.
    James Speyer, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump defended his decision to impose tariffs, saying that the trade situation with U.S. partners was unsustainable and that someone needed to act.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Trump has also vowed to impose tariffs on a slew of other industries, including lumber, pharmaceuticals and copper.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And there’s an art to delegating, without seemingly palming off work to your team.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2023
  • Giannoli’s narrator lays out press performance in Balzacian details that sound absolutely contemporary: News, debate, and ideas had become goods to palm off on subscribers.
    Armond White, National Review, 10 June 2022
Verb
  • But despite previous transparency around the cost-cutting measures, employees inquiring about how the budget cuts have impacted their performance review will now be fobbed off.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023
  • Most chose instead to fob off the hard decisions to central bankers.
    William Pesek, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2021
Verb
  • Slicing this way makes the lemons easier to palm.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Both teams threatened with Mikel Merino’s header palmed away by Matz Sels and David Raya denying Chris Wood at the other end.
    James McNicholas, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pass off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20off. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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