pass rush

American

noun

Football.

an attempt by the defense to prevent the quarterback from throwing successfully to a receiver.

Other Word Forms

pass rusher noun
pass rushing noun

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.

Last season, the Rams thought their young and talented pass rush could compensate for their decision not to stand pat with the cornerbacks and safeties from the 2024 season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

No investment in secondary: The Rams were so confident the pass rush would be dominant, they stood pat and made no changes to the secondary.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

The pass rush is another decider - the Niners ranked last in sacks and second-last in quarterback pressures as their pass rush unit is basically all out injured.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

The Hurricanes possess the country’s best pass rush and gamebreakers at running back and wide receiver.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Nowhere has Miami’s pass rush been more devastating than in the tightest of tight games—contests with a margin of three points or less in the fourth quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

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