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
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Nevertheless, the McAlarneys admit that keeping their children away from smartphones and limiting technology is easier said than done, especially in today’s digital age.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026 -
While the footage has been admitted, jurors were instructed not to weigh it as evidence until deliberations.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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A couple of weeks later, Gillooly confessed and also agreed to testify that Harding approved the plan to attack Kerrigan.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
-
At that point, Koren confessed.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lewis acknowledged after a 3-9 finish in 2024 that thinking about the collective needs to be emphasized more than ever in this age of transfer portal comings and goings.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Zar described the reopening as both joyful and reflective, acknowledging the emotional weight carried by families who lived through evacuation, loss, and uncertainty.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Within three months, the city hired a consultant who studied costs and projected a savings over 20 years of $500 million, though the consultant conceded that was an estimate and the actual figure could be anywhere between $250 million and $900 million.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
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But Neto conceded that Betts’ is certainly the better bowler out of the two.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 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 Jan. 2026.
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