FESS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

fess (up)

verb

ˈfes

Definition of fess (up)

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fess (up)

Verb

Even with an online fundraiser, Wren admitted that things have been tough financially.

— Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Anti-mafia prosecutor Alessandra Cerreti, who has persuaded dozens of women to testify against crime families across all Italy’s crime syndicates, admits the risks are high.

— Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of admit

Verb

McVay finally confessed to that after beating the New York Giants in a game his team showed much more energy and better execution.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Deputy Attorney General Ellen Meilaender said Allen confessed multiple times to the killings, and witnesses identified Allen based on his clothing that day.

— Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

And among the many people NPR spoke to for this story who oppose data centers, nearly all acknowledge using AI in their daily life.

— Scott Neuman, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026
Navigating the Fan Fiction of It All Scanlon and Cantillon acknowledge the novel’s Star Wars origins and explain why casting focused on finding the right actors over internet meta-commentary.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of acknowledge

Verb

Purdue held both Indiana State‘s and Wake Forest’s starting running backs to less than four yards per carry, and has conceded just two rushing touchdowns to those starters this season.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
As the plot progresses, there are constant digs at Google Maps and Apple Maps for conceding to Trump’s order.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of concede

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

fessing (up)

fess (up)

fest

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Style

“Fess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fess%20%28up%29. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

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