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
-
Struijk’s error was punished, but nobody in white gave a good account of themselves during an opening period in which Daniel Farke admitted there was nervousness in his line-up.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026 -
Google chose to settle without admitting fault.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, Bryant’s uncle, Raymond Bryant, testified during the other men’s criminal trial that his nephew had confessed to the shooting.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The prints matched another man who had confessed to his ex-girlfriend, and Monson was released.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Well, as Kwan later acknowledged, the Guardians rank 28th in the aggregate.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Dreeben, the Justice Department veteran, acknowledges that in this case, lots of innocent people were driving to and from places within the geofence line.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The defence that conceded just 16 goals in 46 Championship matches last season — an English League record — has been breached 68 times in 34 Premier League games, looking far too easy to score against.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Inter Miami’s defense has been vulnerable all season and conceded two goals in each of its past four games.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 2026.
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