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Synonyms

in passing

Idioms  

  1. Incidentally, by the way, as in “It may be remarked in passing” (Charlotte Brontë, Shirley, 1849). [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Also, don’t embarrass your friend or shame her daughter by mentioning it to your friend, even in passing.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Her two solo albums are only mentioned in passing.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

Kotora also said Babis would be interested in "passing the assets on to his children".

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Iran was mentioned in passing, as Paxton praised Americans for making political change with ballots not bombs.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

He didn’t mention his wife, not even in passing, but he wrote that he spoke Spanish to his little girl so she’d be able to talk with her grandmother someday.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.