Synonyms of own

own

verb

as in to have

to keep, control, or experience as one's own

we own a modest house and an equally modest car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• have
• possess
• retain
• enjoy
• hold
• command
• keep
• carry
• reserve
• withhold
• rejoice in
• sport
• bear
• boast
• show off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• want
• lack
• abandon
• relinquish
• renounce
• surrender
• yield
• need
• discard
• dump
• require
• reject
• disown
• hand over
• disclaim
• decline
• cede
• repudiate
• spurn

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb own contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of own are acknowledge, admit, avow, and confess. While all these words mean "to disclose against one's will or inclination," own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

When can acknowledge be used instead of own?

Although the words acknowledge and own have much in common, acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

When is it sensible to use admit instead of own?

While in some cases nearly identical to own, admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

Where would avow be a reasonable alternative to own?

The synonyms avow and own are sometimes interchangeable, but avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about.

avowed that he was a revolutionary

In what contexts can confess take the place of own?

In some situations, the words confess and own are roughly equivalent. However, confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of own

The statement is that owning a 12Cilindri, Purosangue, Chiron, Cybertruck, or G-Wagen isn’t loud enough. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025

Cars brought to the show included a Bugatti Mistral, Koenigsegg Agera RS, McLaren P1, Hennessey Venom F5 and a Ferrari LaFerrari previously owned by the rapper Drake. —Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

Today, the restaurant is owned by Mark Latter, the son of the late, legendary restaurateur Steven Latter, and has been lovingly restored to honor its roots—vintage photos, antique furniture, and all. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025

Jimmy Kimmel’s show was suspended after Nexstar, which owns some thirty ABC affiliate stations, put pressure on Disney, which owns ABC. —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025

Phrases Containing own

• by one's own bootstraps
• come into one's own
• of one's own accord
• on one's own
• on one's own hook
• on one's own initiative
• own (up to)
• own (up)