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 government admitted its mistake but has proven unwilling or unable to correct its error and effect Garcia’s return.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2025 -
Davidson openly admits his adoration for Axe, leaning into these more sophisticated scents for everyday use, and soliciting advice to the next generation on how to build confidence while upgrading any younger guy's aesthetic.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the veteran investigator and his suspect began their drive, Jones confessed to Ford.—
Lauren A. White,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
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The tattooed singer isn't the first celebrity to recently confess to having a bathroom emergency on stage.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Angela and Drew apologize for hurting Brit’s feelings, and Brit acknowledges understanding where the other women are coming from, with everyone finally agreeing to move forward.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
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No foul was called, but the crew chief for the game, David Guthrie, later acknowledged that a foul occurred.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While results at the time tasted similar to the real thing, its inventors conceded that the texture didn’t quite work.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
24 Apr. 2025
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Berlin has changed a lot since Soho House opened here, Bryan conceded, when asked how the organization keeps its cachet after all these years.—
Cathrin Schaer,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 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 4 May. 2025.
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