Passing sentence on someone is one of the most significant roles of the judiciary in any legal system. However, in English, there are a number of synonymous phrases that capture this same meaning. Some common options include "pronounces judgment upon," "hands down a ruling," or simply "sentences." Another option is "discerns punishment," which emphasizes the act of measuring out the appropriate consequences for an individual's actions. Additionally, "makes a decision about," "orders judgment against," and "issues a verdict for" all convey a similar idea of rendering a verdict or passing judgment on someone. Ultimately, the phrase used may depend on the specific context and tone of the situation at hand.