1
2
as in to stop
to come to an end eventually, the storm passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to leave
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 to enact
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 to happen
to take place and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in to say
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 to refuse
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 to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage a mountain pass that was impassable during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel take the second pass on the right
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in realization
the state of being actual or complete eventually, all their career goals came to pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 His condition, meanwhile, continued to deteriorate as the months passed. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 Barring injury, only one quarterback will attempt passes when Oklahoma and Auburn come to Athens this fall. —Connor Riley, AJC.com, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass
Verb
But these days in a pass-happy NFL, having reliable safeties can make the difference between a win and a loss. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 His condition, meanwhile, continued to deteriorate as the months passed. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
This is the only media market in the world where a coach gets such a free pass across the board from all media. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 Barring injury, only one quarterback will attempt passes when Oklahoma and Auburn come to Athens this fall. —Connor Riley, AJC.com, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass
Verb
-
In the final days of the war, the Nazis sought to destroy the party’s vast collection of membership cards but they were saved at the last minute and later handed to the Americans.— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
-
Brendan Fitzgerald has left his role as CEO of Secuoya Studios, which is at the same time handing complete independence to its Latin American arm.— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the mound for Monday’s 2-0 win, pitch count was the only thing that could stop Toma.— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
-
If nerves come up, that’s part of the process, not a reason to stop.— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That could leave the nomination in limbo and Powell still in charge.— Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
-
Evans wound up taking less money to leave Tampa Bay and sign with the 49ers.— Vic Tafur, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maryland has enacted a nearly identical law.— Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
-
Braun enacted the holiday via emergency declaration — an unusual step — but one that delivers immediate relief at the pump.— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This happened years before, in such a serious way that my friend had to take a three-month medical leave of absence due to what was likely a nervous breakdown.— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
-
What happened in the next few moments told the story of his time in south London.— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mandelson took up the Washington post in February 2025, after undergoing security vetting.— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
-
Right-hander Porter Hodge, who had been dealing with a flexor strain since early in the spring training, suffered a setback in his rehab and will undergo season-ending ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery Monday.— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The high temperature runs about five to 10 degrees below average for Patriots Day, the meteorologist said.— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
-
Good Jobs First said in most cases, states are failing to disclose incentives in violation of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, a private organization that sets financial reporting standards for state and local governments.— Kevin Hardy, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Football has traditionally been a conduit for protests in Iran, with the national team refusing to sing the anthem on several occasions over recent decades, including during the 2009 Green Movement and after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police in 2022.— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
-
However, the Portage Township Schools have refused to recognize autism as an educational eligibility category and have denied the boy autism-specific services, sensory accommodations and the proper behavioral interventions, the suit says.— Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/pass. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
