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

His mother had the ability to choose any school under a peace officer exception — that was a vital aspect to Meredith’s case, which SEC members admitted wasn’t about residency.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
Officials at Gustavo Fricke Hospital said five people — including two babies — were admitted with various traumatic injuries that were not life-threatening.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of admit

Verb

Martinez acknowledges hiring a crew to repair her wood-frame roof.

— Larry Seward, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Cooper acknowledged the improvement but argued that the statistics do not capture the larger concerns many Californians continue to have about crime, repeat offenders, and support for victims.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026

Definition of acknowledge

Verb

Spain didn’t allow a goal in its first five matches at this year's tournament, and goalkeeper Unai Simón hadn’t conceded in a World Cup-record 650 minutes dating to Qatar.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
But to play two knockout matches without conceding even a sniff of a chance is hugely impressive — especially considering Deschamps hasn’t compromised on his unusually daring approach of using four proper attackers.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 10 July 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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“Fess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fess%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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