Definitions

in passing

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briefly adv.
by the way adv.
incidentally adv.

ADVERB

briefly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

momentarily quickly temporarily

WEAK

fleetingly for a little while hastily transiently

Antonyms

STRONGEST

permanently

WEAK

at length long-windedly verbosely

ADVERB

by the way

Synonyms

WEAK

apart from as to aside by the bye in as much as incidentally on the part of parenthetically relating to speaking of while on the subject with reference to

ADVERB

incidentally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

casually remotely

STRONG

accidentally

WEAK

as a by-product as side effect by the bye by the way fortuitously in related manner not by design obiter parenthetically subordinately unexpectedly

Antonyms

WEAK

purposely

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.

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in passing

Ms. Watson discusses AI in passing, noting that “to get up and running, AI needs data and questions.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

I had met Kyle briefly in passing and thought he was attractive, but other than that 15-second encounter, I have never gotten to know him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

"Even in passing, Edward's kindness and compassion have given others the precious gift of life, creating a legacy that will endure for generations," his family said.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

“We leave so little trace in passing through life,” he writes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Once she jostled a small rock in passing and sent a shower of stones clattering down.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry

in passing

Example Sentences

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