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
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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
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of passing
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
In this instance, familiarity does not breed contempt but fosters an affection that deepens with every passing year.
—Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Julie Kratz, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
The 49ers mourn the passing of Trent Williams' son and send him and his family all our love.
—Lauren Merola, The Athletic, 3 Dec. 2024
Carter Sherwin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024
This week, the passing defense could be under attack.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for passing 
Adjective
The Packers admittedly do not have a traditional, alpha No. 1 receiver, but there are games where Reed is the primary option in this passing attack, and the Lions have allowed the most passing yards per game to opposing No. 1 receivers, per DVOA.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
In this instance, familiarity does not breed contempt but fosters an affection that deepens with every passing year.
—Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
The origins of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace started in the 1960s around the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
The 49ers mourn the passing of Trent Williams' son and send him and his family all our love.
—Lauren Merola, The Athletic, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
Furthermore, to sweeten the deal for any on-the-fence Senate Republicans, the study demonstrated that 678,000 children living in rural areas across Texas, Mississippi, Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky would benefit in the first year after the bill’s passing.
—Carter Sherwin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024
This week, the passing defense could be under attack.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for passing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passing
Adjective
-
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
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Residents who live near the intersection where the accident occurred said the flash mobs of street takeovers have become weekly occurrences in their neighborhood.Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022
Noun
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In the past, individuals who’d been told they’d be brought home after their labor ended were dropped nowhere near the places from which they’d been taken—a situation that, due to conflict or a lack of resources, could result in death.Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024
-
After Stalin’s death, the Soviet government admitted that many of his victims had been wrongly accused.Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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Shayna Baszler and Katana Chance - Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament This match wasn’t very entertaining, but Kai winning made sense considering the options.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
-
This last happened in 2013-14 resulting in a very cold winter.Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
At home, Ball turned on NY1 and lay on the couch when Posen proposed, handing him a custom ring by Taffin.Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
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That’s partly thanks to an informal alliance with tech companies, including Meta, that want to avoid handing Nvidia an outright monopoly.Billy Perrigo, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Nothing is stopping you from trying out things.Adam Fayed, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Beyoncé and Jay-Z made a surprise appearance at the premiere to support their 12-year-old, stopping for rare photos on the red carpet.Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Bathrooms in the 1960s were generally smaller, though, leaving little space for a standalone bathtub or the additional modern amenities that some contemporary homeowners have come to expect.Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 11 Dec. 2024
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The designer’s initial shows for Maison Margiela were staged in no-frills white-box venues, leaving the stage to his expert tailoring and dressmaking.Miles Socha, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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States including Massachusetts and Tennessee are now looking into enacting their own version of the system.Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
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Sometimes plotting a fantasy feels as naughty as enacting it.Stephen Kearse, TIME, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Facing the ethical dilemma of working in a system defined by propaganda and violence, a brave teacher goes undercover to film what’s really happening in his own school.Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
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The Onion’s acquisition of InfoWars isn’t happening — at least for now.Emma Roth, The Verge, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near passing
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passing. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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