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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fess (up)

Verb

Ahead, Entertainment Weekly takes a look at 10 onscreen romances where at least one party involved admitted that their kiss was far from cinematic.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Then, instead of admitting wrongdoing when news of the surveillance came to light, the FWC doubled down, releasing a page of cutouts of social-media posts, stripped of context and identity.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of admit

Verb

Cole joined the group but later confessed everything to Kacie, who laughed it off, allowing the couple to move past the incident before their wedding.

— Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Also on Monday, the German confessed that the Valencia native’s plight influences how the attack lines up in 2026/2027.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

But as demonstrations attracted larger crowds, the government was forced to acknowledge them and respond to their growing influence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
While acknowledging a desire for the honor, Overeem states he's not overly bothered, having faced similar situations throughout his long career.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 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.

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 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

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