1
as in admitting
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 confessing
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 fessing (up)
Verb
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The Little Rock Zoo briefly stopped admitting visitors on Friday morning while authorities investigating a bomb threat that was found to be a hoax.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2026 -
Wallach agreed to the suspension without admitting or denying the allegations, court records show.—
Katie Surma,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Similiar incidents Last week in Baltimore City, a 15-year-old boy turned himself in to police, confessing to murdering another 15-year-old earlier this year.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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That relationship was based on sinners confessing their sins to this vicar.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
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About two decades ago, Turner said, the healthcare industry started acknowledging the limits and risks of prescribing opioids for chronic pain.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Employees need substance, not just volume, and leaders should proactively provide clear, honest updates, acknowledging what's known and unknown.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fessing (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fessing%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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