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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Audiences were first introduced to Fletcher on season 20 of The Bachelor when Ben Higgins confessed his love for her but ultimately chose Lauren Bushnell over Fletcher.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026 -
Throughout the years, Gaff reportedly confessed to attempting to attack up to 30 women and girls in one day in the 1980s and admitted to raping at least eight of them.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There is something to be said for admitting that the prospects of disagreement are permanent and that wisdom consists not in tearing up the peace treaty but in renewing it.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Redick admitted that there was a freedom to the expectations suddenly being so low – a permanent-marker selection for playoff predictions among sports-debate broadcasts over the past week.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 2026.
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