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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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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for fess (up)

Verb

Does this three-point configuration always admit a convex quadrilateral?

— Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
One morning, guards came to the cell and told the women to line up and face the wall—standard protocol for when a new prisoner was being admitted.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of admit

Verb

The earliest fire to which authorities allege Farinacci confessed to last week — and investigators were able to corroborate — happened on July 6, 2025, near Centennial Trail.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
During the interview, Davis allegedly confessed to his role in Shakur's murder.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

Asked about those changes and the growing scrutiny of the UFW's legacy, Huerta defended the organization's historic work on behalf of farmworkers while acknowledging the controversy surrounding Chavez.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
The industry acknowledges the marketing power of social media but grapples with balancing publicity and guest privacy.

— Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of acknowledge

Verb

The lesson here – and one the NBCU-Peacock-YouTube deal concedes – is that a media company just isn’t the mountain that Mohammed goes to – the consumers are the mountain.

— Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Malawi scored and conceded four goals, Nigeria three, and Zambia two, leaving them still tied with head-to-head goal differentials of zero.

— Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 6 Aug. 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.

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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 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

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