OWN UP Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

own (up)

verb

Definition of own (up)

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for own (up)

Verb

Cole joined the group but later confessed everything to Kacie, who laughed it off, allowing the couple to move past the incident before their wedding.

— Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Also on Monday, the German confessed that the Valencia native’s plight influences how the attack lines up in 2026/2027.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

Ahead, Entertainment Weekly takes a look at 10 onscreen romances where at least one party involved admitted that their kiss was far from cinematic.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Then, instead of admitting wrongdoing when news of the surveillance came to light, the FWC doubled down, releasing a page of cutouts of social-media posts, stripped of context and identity.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of admit

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Own (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/own%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of own (up)

verb

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