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

The government has admitted its California list may not be entirely accurate.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The prosecutors have not disclosed whether the suspect has admitted or denied the charges, according to NHK.

— Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 26 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

Last month, the Kremlin acknowledged problems with food and medical supplies getting into Oleshky, saying its military was working to resolve them.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
The incumbent senator acknowledged in a recent interview that the president’s visits to Kansas were vital to his reelection campaign.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of acknowledge

Verb

Fielder is not conventionally attractive, concedes Breca, a 26-year-old bisexual man in Pennsylvania, but the filmmaker’s salt-and-pepper hair and stubble did something for Breca nonetheless.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Vena said the current task is proving service is strong enough to hold customers trying rail, simultaneously conceding that not all will stay.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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