pass off

verb

passed off; passing off; passes off
Synonyms of pass offnext

transitive verb

1
: to make public or offer for sale with intent to deceive
2
: to give a false identity or character to

Synonyms of pass off

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Examples of pass off in a Sentence

the con man tried to pass off a piece of blue glass as a sapphire
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.
In academia, there is no greater sin than passing off another’s work as one’s own. — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 People are passing off workslop to their colleagues, accusing each other of lazy AI use, picking fights over who's smarter than AI and punting questions from their direct reports. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 The offense works on the underneath passing tree while the defense simulates coverage rules and passing off cross-under routes. — Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 The economic costs were diffuse and passed off to future generations as additions to the national debt. — Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pass off

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pass off was in 1681

Rhymes for pass off

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Browse Nearby Words

pass muster
pass off
passometer
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Cite this Entry

“Pass off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20off. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pass off

verb
: to give a false identity to : describe untruthfully

Legal Definition

pass off

transitive verb
1
: to make public or offer for sale (goods or services) with intent to deceive : palm off
passing his product off as that of the plaintiff's—W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
see also unfair competition
2
: to give a false identity or character to
they created the documents on the day of the trial and passed them off as being made earlier
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