1
as in admitted
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 confessed
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 fessed (up)
Verb
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The Telegraph reported on consumers’ return woes in June and noted that a spokesperson reportedly admitted returns had been taking longer than usual to process, but did not explain why.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Sep. 2025 -
In rehearsal footage ahead of the big dance, Irwin admitted that he had not been born yet when the song was released, just four years before his father's death.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Charges were dropped against two, but the two suspects who confessed went on trial and were convicted of capital murder, officials said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
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Finally, Robinson confessed to his father.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This acknowledged the error, diffused the awkwardness and reoriented the conversation onto a positive heading.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
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However, in a post on its website, the company acknowledged safety protections may fall away in longer conversations with ChatGPT.—
Sonia Mankame,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yet the Republican conceded that DOGE’s work has not been as easily accomplished as Musk once hoped.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
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San Diego then conceded its fourth game-tying or game-losing goal of the season.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fessed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fessed%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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