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

Freeman admitted after that receiver blocking (or a lack thereof) had been an issue.

— Pete Sampson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Boeing admitted responsibility for the fatal crashes and that its employees withheld information about the design flaw from the Federal Aviation Administration during certification.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of admit

Verb

But the novel makes its intentions clear in its opening lines, when the narrator reports having confessed an interest in writing M’s autobiography and M asking if the story would be entirely made up.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026
He was fatally stabbed, and Davis later confessed to cutting him.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

The first warning sign landed alarmingly early for Arbeloa, watching his team concede just 31 seconds into the season opener.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Although Inter Miami boasts the league’s top scorer in Messi (18 goals) and most potent offense with 59 goals, the team’s shaky defense has conceded the fifth-most goals in the East.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

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