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
Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Hero Dog Who Saved Over 80 Canines by Donating Blood Retires: 'He's Done a Wonderful Job'
Jaxon was losing blood fast, and his condition became more critical with each passing moment.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Unbeknownst to it, a nearby trail camera documented its passing.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Protests against the monarchy have been on the rise since Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, passing the crown to Charles.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Adjective
As Lukaku tries to find a passing option, McTominay dashes into the vacant space in midfield…
… to receive the ball from his centre-forward.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Hero Dog Who Saved Over 80 Canines by Donating Blood Retires: 'He's Done a Wonderful Job'
Jaxon was losing blood fast, and his condition became more critical with each passing moment.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
Today is his three year anniversary of his passing.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Unbeknownst to it, a nearby trail camera documented its passing.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Verb
Bowman secured the lead after passing Bubba Wallace, but a costly error on his part helped Larson capitalize and win the race.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Protests against the monarchy have been on the rise since Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, passing the crown to Charles.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
Nearly three months after their bodies were found at the summit of Bell Mountain in northern Georgia, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has ruled their deaths a double suicide.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
28 May 2025
-
Hackman's cause of death was heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer's as a contributing factor.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2025
Adverb
-
King Charles is very sick, and there are reports that succession plans are already underway.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
7 June 2025
-
The film’s topic is very relevant today, as minorities all over the world face threats of harassment and sometimes their very extermination.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
Having been stung by handing O’Neil and his backroom staff long-term deals, only to sack them a few months later, Wolves will be reluctant to commit massive funds to extending Pereira’s deal on the back of just a few months’ work.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Monday’s three-hour finale opens with Grant still in the Dominican Republic after handing roses to Litia and Juliana last week and sending Zoe packing.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That means that any sudden car movements – stopping, accelerating, or turning – could cause the tires to skid on top of the snow.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
-
It can also be caused by significant stress, surgery, or stopping birth control pills.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Everyone is understandably thrilled for McIlroy, and everyone has been leaving their congratulations for him throughout the evening.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
But the moderates also emphasized that their vote for the final bill would hinge on Johnson’s ability to keep his word about leaving Medicaid benefits untouched.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Attaining Reimbursement Parity While states are making progress in enacting parity laws between telemedicine and in-hospital providers, the exact wording varies by state.—
Jason Povio,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The campaign included videos of the students re-enacting scenes from the film and posting them online with the hashtag #bacontopayson.—
Lori A Bashian Fox News,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
As companies begin to pull back on orders, which is happening already amid the uncertainty related to overseas manufacturing costs and domestic consumer demand, lower supply will potentially serve as a force sending prices higher.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The most significant innovation in labor may now be happening in the shift economy—in hospitals, retail stores, and restaurants—among workers who never had the option to work from home.—
Nirit Cohen,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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