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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for owning (up)
Verb
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The emergence of the mysterious key in Homer and Plumb’s possession has spooked him off from confessing any further.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026 -
So did confessing to a crime, oddly.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Moreover, the tech executive validated widespread anxieties about the future of employment, admitting that the traditional balance between labor and capital is shifting drastically.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
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The state also said federal officials have been difficult to work with; despite providing a corrective action plan and admitting that fraud is an issue in Minnesota, the state hasn't received clarity from the federal government about whether the plan is acceptable or not.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Owning (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/owning%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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