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

Another settlement that would be among the largest, with members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma agreeing to pay up to $7 billion, could be approved this year. —Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

His presidential library will own the plane after his presidency, Trump says. —Eric Lipton, New York Times, 14 May 2025

Following a renovation of the former office space, the Paperback Bakery, owned by Johnson, and SereniTea Boutique, owned by Byer, opened on Feb. 8. —Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025

In a second civil lawsuit, from 2019 with her name openly attached, Sokola targeted Disney (which had owned Miramax in 2002); the entity of Miramax; Harvey; and Harvey’s co-CEO brother, Bob. —Phoebe Eaton, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 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)