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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Walter had recently been admitted with severe head injuries to the intensive-care unit of a nearby hospital.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026 -
Watkins, who worked in higher education for 45 years before retiring in 2023, admitted there were some who questioned why someone who earned reportedly more than $90 million in a pro basketball career would be in college.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The film opens with its shy, sensitive twentysomething protagonist, Bear, struggling to confess his feelings for his childhood friend, Nikki.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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Bravo’s reality series has been in the midst of a whirlwind after co-stars Westling Wilson and Amanda Batula confessed to being in a relationship.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Williams was one parent at Highland’s Wicker Memorial Park on Monday to acknowledge the fifth annual Day Without Childcare, Community Change Action’s annual providers’ and parents’ strike for universal childcare.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
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Supporters say the change acknowledges harm caused by the excavation and display of Native American remains.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Everyone in the Democrat Party in Illinois was conceding the race to Republican Attorney General Jack Ryan.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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But the team still gives up too many goals, with nine goals conceded over the past three games.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
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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 15 May. 2026.
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