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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fess (up)

Verb

He was detained in March last year and deported to El Salvador, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and other administration officials, later admitted that the removal was due to a clerical error.

— Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Some parents admit the ban is tough but are making the adjustment.

— Michele Gile, CBS News, 18 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

Sarr, the headmistress, acknowledged that the majority of students come from the capital.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
The researchers acknowledged that there may also be external factors causing traffic fatalities on the same day an album releases and that Spotify is not the only music platform drivers may use.

— Diana Anos, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of acknowledge

Verb

But keeping their promotion rivals at bay most definitely was, Parkinson’s men conceding 24 times in those dozen games, 16 of which came on Welsh soil.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Now, having finally conceded that modifying normal-size cars doesn't quite work, O'Neal has gone fully custom, having a unique Corvette Z06 built to his specifications by Effortless Motors of Riverside, California.

— Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 13 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fess%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

oxymoron

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes