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
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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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During a meeting with community members that year, Balaji Vaidyanathan, ADEQ’s deputy director of its air quality division, admitted that the agency messed up.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026 -
Perhaps adults in her life did not admit their shortcomings easily.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Eventually, Friedmann identified himself and confessed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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Cheryl’s father had died years earlier, not knowing that someone had confessed.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But with casualties rising and Trump acknowledging the possibility of a lengthy campaign, the question confronting his coalition is no longer theoretical.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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If worries spike, try acknowledging them in writing to stop them from circling your mind.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Creuzot, who conceded Wednesday after the final results were released, thanked supporters, voters and his family, and congratulated Givens.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
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And if this week has been any indication, the players may be closer to conceding ground than owners.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 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 8 Mar. 2026.
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