as in to confess
to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid
had a strong suspicion about which coworker stole her food from the office fridge, but the likely culprit refused to own up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for own (up)
Verb
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Pittman’s father contacted the FBI Saturday and told the agency his son had confessed to setting the building on fire, says the complaint.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026 -
In June 2001, Andrea drowned all five of the Yates children before calling 911 and later confessing.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nevertheless, the McAlarneys admit that keeping their children away from smartphones and limiting technology is easier said than done, especially in today’s digital age.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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While the footage has been admitted, jurors were instructed not to weigh it as evidence until deliberations.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Own (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/own%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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