1
2
as in to stop
to come to an end
eventually, the storm passed
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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
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4
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
Congress cannot pass any law restricting free speech
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5
as in to happen
to take place
and the destruction of the town came to pass, just as the seer had predicted
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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
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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
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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
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9
as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the finished product isn't perfect, but it will pass
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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
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2
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
take the second pass on the right
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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
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2
3
as in realization
the state of being actual or complete
eventually, all their career goals came to pass
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pass
Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Already, a Democratic plan to extend the subsidies failed in the Senate, but a plan passed in the House on Thursday.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
These galaxies grazed each other millions of years ago, in a gravitational close pass that bent and stretched their spiral structures.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pass
Verb
As food pantry lines grow longer across Brooklyn and Queens, New York state lawmakers are pressing Albany to pass legislation aimed at combating food insecurity.
—Noun
While the Spurs struggled to complete what has become one of their go-to moves this season, Hayes threw in a reverse dunk in front of Wembanyama on a half-court, alley-oop pass from Doncic.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass
Verb
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The Hollywood Foreign Press Association also spoke in favor of Glen Powell, when the voting body of the Golden Globes handed him a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series.—
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A little more than an hour after the game ended, an equipment staff member handed Goedert’s jersey, complete with grass stains on the eagle shoulder patch, to The Realest.—
Verb
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Several vehicles that stopped behind her appear to belong to federal agents, based on activity observed in other videos.—
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The prioritization for that new safety should probably be in coverage skills, because Moehrig and Ransom are known more for their run-stopping and tackling prowesses.—
Verb
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The departure of Stockton and Warren leaves head coach Spencer Danielson with the task of replacing two secondary coaches.—
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Members of the Minneapolis City Council, in a joint statement, demanded that ICE leave the city following the shooting.—
Verb
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Any plan for dividend checks would likely require new legislation passed by Congress, but no solid plans have been enacted.—
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Now, Loogootee has enacted another special events policy that mirrors several measures in the one that the court struck down.—
Verb
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When the pandemic happened, the only way to access live performance was if it was recorded and cast widely.—
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Good's defenders – including city and state leaders – are calling what happened an unjustified attack; federal authorities say the agent was acting in self-defense.—
Verb
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At the reception center, deportees undergo health screenings and receive vaccines.—
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Clyde Sharikova-Sudarma, a local veterinarian who undergoes expensive annual MRIs for an ongoing medical condition, said his premiums could double next year.—
Verb
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In Kyiv, a CNN reporter said that the attack began around midnight, starting with multiple drone strikes on residential buildings.—
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Due to cold temperatures, emergency medical services were contacted to evaluate her, authorities said.—
Verb
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According to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched in November to a residence in the Linville community of Marion after a caller reported a neighbor standing in their driveway screaming and refusing to leave the property despite having been warned previously.—
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Some exemptions for law enforcement agencies exist, but Cal-OSHA claims the sheriff’s office refused to prove its exemption, according to court documents.—
Cite this Entry
“Pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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