pass up

verb

passed up; passing up; passes up
Synonyms of pass upnext

transitive verb

: to let go by without accepting or taking advantage of
pass up a chance for promotion
also : decline, reject

Examples of pass up in a Sentence

I must pass up the offer to be chairman of this event.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Flea markets offer one-of-a-kind finds that are hard to replace if passed up. Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 June 2026 From anti-breakage hair masks to multi-use styling tools, these products are too good to pass up. Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 27 June 2026 Some deals—like this 12-inch hybrid mattress that’s now just over $300—are too good to pass up. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2026 Stein passed up the lucrative life of corporate law and instead devoted himself to public service. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass up

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pass up was in 1896

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pass up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20up. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster