as in refused
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 passed up
McAtamney’s lack of field goal range also played a part in this game because the Giants passed up attempts.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The Oilers passed up countless quality chances at five-on-five and were seldom around the blue paint against the Devils.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The year before, she had been passed up for the lead role in the movie adaptation of My Fair Lady, which went to Audrey Hepburn, pictured.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
On both plays, Maye passed up safer choices — taking a sack and a checkdown — to scramble; chasing the type of extended play that had just rewarded him, but ultimately burned his team.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Over one in ten report being passed up for a promotion or chance to get ahead because of their age.
—Helen Dennis, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Silksong just passed up yesterday’s 562,000 concurrent Steam playercount record, a stunning number for a $20 indie game, though obviously boosted by its mythological status after seven years of waiting from fans.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
He was passed up by most every FBS program coming out of Greenville High in Texas.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
And with James Beard Award semifinalist Colleen Hughes at the bar, a cocktail or mocktail should not be passed up.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2025
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The Oilers passed up countless quality chances at five-on-five and were seldom around the blue paint against the Devils.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The year before, she had been passed up for the lead role in the movie adaptation of My Fair Lady, which went to Audrey Hepburn, pictured.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
On both plays, Maye passed up safer choices — taking a sack and a checkdown — to scramble; chasing the type of extended play that had just rewarded him, but ultimately burned his team.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Over one in ten report being passed up for a promotion or chance to get ahead because of their age.
—Helen Dennis, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Silksong just passed up yesterday’s 562,000 concurrent Steam playercount record, a stunning number for a $20 indie game, though obviously boosted by its mythological status after seven years of waiting from fans.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
He was passed up by most every FBS program coming out of Greenville High in Texas.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
And with James Beard Award semifinalist Colleen Hughes at the bar, a cocktail or mocktail should not be passed up.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passed up
Verb
-
Following a conversation with Sanders and Adams, CPS told the officers to release the boy to Adams, who had refused to provide the couple’s new address.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The civil lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court alleges Blain has refused to produce requested public records from his private accounts, apps and devices and has deleted public records from those same sources and asked others to delete messages from him.—
Susan Gill Vardon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, Russia’s Defense Ministry has rejected the Lithuanian claims and said its Su-30 fighter jets conducted training flights over the Kaliningrad region in strict compliance with the rules, not violating the borders of any other states.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Texas lawmakers rejected both the Smithsonian's cost estimates of transporting Discovery and the museum's legal claim of ownership.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Clark declined to comment when asked if some smaller-market clubs bring in more money than large-market clubs.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Through Hobbs, the farmer declined an interview.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Israeli industry figures from major institutions, including DocAviv Festival, the CoPro market and public broadcaster Kan, have all been turned down from attending the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, one of the world’s leading documentary festivals.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Be forewarned, though, that consumers with lower credit scores may get turned down.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On third-and-7, Fields threw over the middle to receiver Josh Reynolds for 6 yards, short of the first-down marker.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Though Brock Purdy threw over 300 yards in his return from injury, the Jaguars' defense caused five turnovers, including a strip sack that sealed the game in the fourth quarter.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The charter amendment, if passed, would scale back the current requirements by allowing the five-member City Commission to approve the sale of valuable city land, at market value, through a four-fifths vote in lieu of three bids.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, North Carolina has passed a bill known as Iryna' Law to try to change pretrial release conditions for people charged with violent offenses.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a separate statement to Whittier Daily News, Rowley claimed that the city had ignored complaints about upraised sidewalks caused by tree roots for years, and stated the city had not implemented adequate inspection protocols.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Kim Kardashian's refusal to watch Fatal Attraction is not going to be ignored by Kris Jenner, thank you very much!—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passed%20up. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share