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
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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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Massey admitted the early chances allowed him to get settled into the game.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2025 -
Parents, in particular, struggle to prioritize their own health, with 60 percent admitting that daily responsibilities prevent them from getting screened, compared to 46 percent of nonparents.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Tabler was arrested four days later and confessed to the shooting in front of police.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
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At the apartment, police found bloody rags stuffed in a closet — and 23-year-old Christian Millet, Echevarria’s roommate and his ex-girlfriend’s grandson, who prosecutors say cracked under questioning and confessed to killing him.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Trump administration to acknowledge only a person’s gender assigned at birth, officials say Human biology is complex, and not all individuals fit neatly into binary categories, Evans told ABC News.—
Dr. Allia Vaez,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Schiffer concluded Wednesday’s hearing by acknowledging that Syed was given a second chance and has shown progress.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Slot was disappointed his side conceded from a set piece in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.—
Sam Lee,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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Being forced into a larger coalition, many Christian Democrats and their supporters concede, would almost certainly sap Mr. Merz’s power to push deregulation, tax cuts and other domestic initiatives through Parliament in a bid to boost the economy.—
Jim Tankersley,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 2025.
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