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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.

One of them mentioned, almost in passing, that his father, a retired dentist, had recently received an unsolicited mailing inviting him to invest in a private-credit fund.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

To be sure, executives are sometimes talking about the conflict in passing or fielding questions about Iran from analysts.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Her two solo albums are only mentioned in passing.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

While his career has been derailed by injuries and diminished play, it was only three seasons ago that he led the NFL in passing yardage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Frank Churchill’s confession of having behaved shamefully was the first thing to call for more than a word in passing.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

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.