as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
I must pass up the offer to be chairman of this event
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 up
In more congested games, Wharton looks to move the ball upfield with short, sharp passes up to his attacking team-mates, buzzing around the centre and threading them between the gaps in the opposition midfield.
—
Thom Harris, New York Times, 15 May 2025
It’s been a bumpy couple years marked by pandemic-era restraint and political polarization, but the American football championship offers an increasingly unequalled viewership too big to pass up.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 11 May 2025
Midway through the second period, Mitch Marner looked like a junior player with an unnecessary blind pass up the middle of the ice and then zero effort defensively to prevent the Panthers’ third goal.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 15 May 2025
That sometimes leads to situations akin to a basketball player passing up a good shot to give a teammate a great shot.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass up
Thom Harris, New York Times, 15 May 2025
It’s been a bumpy couple years marked by pandemic-era restraint and political polarization, but the American football championship offers an increasingly unequalled viewership too big to pass up.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 11 May 2025
Midway through the second period, Mitch Marner looked like a junior player with an unnecessary blind pass up the middle of the ice and then zero effort defensively to prevent the Panthers’ third goal.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 15 May 2025
That sometimes leads to situations akin to a basketball player passing up a good shot to give a teammate a great shot.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass up
Verb
-
However, the end of the conversation was probably the headline – that Amodei refused to rule out AI becoming self-aware in key ways.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Wyatt, the senior ace on his way to Michigan, and Walker, the gritty junior second baseman who refused to give up on his dream of starting, paused when trying to wrap their heads around the scene unfolding around them.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Paramount is currently engaged in mediation talks with Trump’s attorneys, who recently rejected a $15 million settlement offer and threatened further litigation, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week.—
Dominick Mastrangelo,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
-
Brentford have rejected an offer of around €9million (£7.6m; $10.2m) from Bayer Leverkusen for their first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken but negotiations are ongoing over a potential deal.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
The April 11 ruling came during a hearing in Maryland, where a Justice Department attorney declined to provide basic details about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
7 June 2025
-
The White House declined to comment about a potential TikTok sale.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The majority did not explain its reasoning in turning down the case over weapons like the AR-15, as is typical.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
-
Sadly, this is leading to more and more creators turning down partnerships while brands offer them to other creators who may not be as well-informed about topics like perpetual usage rights.—
Kristen Bousquet,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
San Francisco’s starting pitcher, Robbie Ray, caught Blanco leaning toward the bag and threw over to first as Blanco broke to second.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2025
-
Few know the power of a piece of fabric thrown over oneself, but RuPaul does.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pass up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20up. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share