OWNING (UP) Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

owning (up)

verb

present participle of own (up)

as in confessing

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 owning (up)

Verb

The second season of the Netflix hit ended on a cliffhanger with Jackie (Rodriguez) and Cole (LaLonde) finally confessing their feelings for each other, but Cole’s brother — and Jackie’s boyfriend — Alex (Gentry) hears the confession.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
During her trial, prosecutors played a recording of Yang confessing to Reuter's murder to a friend who was wearing a wire.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Definition of confessing

Verb

Even the non-thriller themes — female friendship, aging, ageism, admitting the truth about oneself to oneself and one’s dearest, the invigorating effects of danger — are explicitly expressed.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Children’s said that the plaintiffs were attempting to force it to stop granting admitting privileges to physicians who refused to offer gender-affirming care, which would ultimately harm patients.

— Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 15 July 2026

Definition of admitting

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owning

owning (up)

owning (up to)

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“Owning (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/owning%20%28up%29. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of owning (up)

verb

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