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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The Trump administration admitted that lowering the cost of everyday goods would take longer than initially promised, but the president blamed Biden's policies' lingering impact.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025 -
America is a place that—few people are willing to admit—is the most powerful country ever in recorded history across all dimensions: hard power, economic power, innovation power, energy superpower, soft power, alliance power.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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To Bitsy, Matty confesses she’s had a hard time making friends as an adult, which is why being close to Olympia has meant so much to her.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
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Holloway's case came to a gruesome conclusion last year after a suspect, Joran van der Sloot, confessed to killing her nearly two decades after the fact.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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During the conversation, Musk seemed to acknowledge the unusual nature of his role in the Administration.—
TIME,
TIME,
11 Mar. 2025
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Yet, Combs has gradually learned to manage the disorder more effectively by acknowledging these intrusive thoughts without fear.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Afterwards, Farke conceded he had been tempted to start Gnonto in Aaronson’s place.—
Beren Cross,
The Athletic,
19 Mar. 2025
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In November, Zelenskyy conceded not all territory could be won back by force and may have to remain under de facto Russian control after a settlement.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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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 24 Mar. 2025.
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