pass off

as in to wish
to offer (something fake, useless, or inferior) as genuine, useful, or valuable the con man tried to pass off a piece of blue glass as a sapphire

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 off Ostensibly, tariffs raise prices for the end consumer, as companies often pass off the additional costs to customers. Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 But do not pass off all the responsibility to a blue bin. Allure Editors, Allure, 22 Apr. 2025 One moment stood out in particular from Wednesday night’s victory on Long Island: when Pius Suter passed off a clear shot on an empty net to feed Kiefer Sherwood for his second goal of the night. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Trump pointed to one where Vice President Vance runs for the White House and passes off the job to him. Al Weaver, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pass off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pass off
Verb
  • As for criticism, some customers noted that the cushions show dirt quickly due to their light color, while others wished for more thoughtful additions like cushion ties.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2025
  • Ahead of the special election for Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee, the Orange County Register compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent the Area 5 seat.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Some were inflicted on drunken patients who slipped on the ice.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
  • Ventura then fled to her parents’ home in Connecticut, where her mother took pictures of the bruises Combs had allegedly inflicted on her, the suit states.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Yesterday, a Manhattan federal judge barred the U.S. Department of Transportation from retaliating against the MTA over its decision to continue imposing congestion pricing tolls, despite a federal directive to shut down the program.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 May 2025
  • In that case, West Virginia challenged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s authority to impose regulations to effectively control the state's energy policy through the Clean Power Plan.
    Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The unique shape helps keep your palm off the table while offering a spot for your thumb to rest.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 9 May 2025
  • And there’s an art to delegating, without seemingly palming off work to your team.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2023
Verb
  • Not only does Israel not have spare luxury jets lying around to fob off on the American president, but the country took nine years to retrofit and launch its own version of Air Force One, and the process was a national fiasco.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • But despite previous transparency around the cost-cutting measures, employees inquiring about how the budget cuts have impacted their performance review will now be fobbed off.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023
Verb
  • One of the others mimed palming the girl’s rear while the third snapped a photo.
    Dan Greene, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
  • With his feet still inside the penalty area, but his right arm extended beyond its edge, Henderson took the ball almost off Haaland’s foot and palmed it away from his goal, towards the touchline.
    Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pass off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%20off. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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