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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fess (up)

Verb

The first of the 12 steps is admitting that your relationship with your vice has become unmanageable.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Smith was transported to the jail by the deputies, but the jail medical staff would not admit him due to the injury, the suit alleges.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of admit

Verb

After detectives confronted her with information from Hanfield, Arstil confessed that the two women were at the apartment complex that night looking to rob someone.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Disarmed by his stepson’s surprise appearance, Morgan confesses to being the cheater.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

But all five nations also maintain significant commercial and diplomatic links with Russia and, to varying extents, China and Iran, a fact that Rubio acknowledged.

— Reuters, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
So many people make a deal with the devil, compromising their principles, and are not able to acknowledge it to others or to themselves.

— Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of acknowledge

Verb

Hollywood executives at a panel featuring UTA, Gold House, Lionsgate and HYBE saw an opening for Asian talent and stories rooted in specific cultures, while conceding that getting projects funded is still a struggle.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Yet there are few examples in history of adversaries conceding to maximalist demands in the face of punitive bombing campaigns alone—even by the world’s greatest air force.

— Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 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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Style

“Fess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fess%20%28up%29. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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