1
as in to admit
to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly
he fessed up to breaking the antique vase only after his guilt was obvious
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to confess
to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid
at first he denied everything, but eventually he realized that he had no choice but to fess up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fess (up)
Verb
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Is this morally corrupt crowd determined to ignore constitutional obligations rather than ever admit a mistake?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025 -
Arteta admitted post-Brentford that those moments depend on the opponent’s behaviour, with man-orientated pressing sometimes helping to create gaps that Rice tried to exploit in the first half before getting a clearer run from the corner in the second half.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the veteran investigator and his suspect began their drive, Jones confessed to Ford.—
Lauren A. White,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
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Balmer turned himself in and allegedly confessed to the fire, according to search warrants.—
Jared Kofsky,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This could signal a more calculated, region-specific approach — one that acknowledges price sensitivity in certain segments and the importance of maintaining U.S. market share.—
Esat Dedezade,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The sheriff of Island County, Mark Brown, apologized to Fred and acknowledged, in a public report, that his own staff was responsible.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His interrogator conceded that the police must have gotten the wrong guy and released him within weeks.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
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Deputy Latah County Prosecutor Ashley Jennings also flat out denied Taylor's accusations that prosecutors were slow-walking discovery and said everything the defense has asked for has been provided, a point that Taylor conceded in front of the judge.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fess%20%28up%29. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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