FESS (UP) 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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for fess (up)

Verb

Ahead of the trial, the commonwealth also filed a motion to admit audio recordings of the 911 call Patrick Clancy made after returning home and discovering his family.

— Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
That may mean narrowing the goal, admitting that an assumption no longer holds, or changing a play that made sense six months ago.

— Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of admit

Verb

The teachers union has been unwilling to acknowledge the district’s lack of resources; now the union has to deal with the consequences of that painful reality.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
The effort was acknowledged with a hug and an autograph directly on the costume.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of acknowledge

Verb

Scott Parker’s side were also the first in English football to complete an entire season without ever conceding more than once in a league game.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Before Wednesday, the Earthquakes had not conceded a goal from a set piece, allowed a goal from outside the penalty area or trailed by more than one goal in any league match this season.

— Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

Definition of concede

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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 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

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