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
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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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For head coach John Harbaugh, the offense hasn’t been much of an issue, despite admitting that the run game needs work ahead of next week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025 -
Kamala Harris said Tuesday that her widely criticized 2024 appearance on The View wasn’t what cost her the election, despite admitting that the moment hurt her campaign.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nickerson was immediately terminated after confessing to the behavior, McKinzie wrote in an email to the congregation at the time.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Sep. 2025
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There's been lingering romantic tension between Crudup's UBA exec Cory Ellison and Witherspoon's anchor Bradley Jackson since early on in the Apple TV+ series, and despite Cory confessing his love for Bradley in season 2, things haven't quite worked out for them — yet.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hand in hand with this is acknowledging that San Diego has immense biodiversity, something that needs protecting.—
Madison Beveridge,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
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Anne’s trip to the countryside opens up the series both physically and thematically by acknowledging that Irish life and history exist outside Dublin and that while the Guinness family amasses power and plays at politics, others are living a much different existence.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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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 29 Sep. 2025.
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