owns (up)

Definition of owns (up)next
present tense third-person singular of own (up)
as in confesses
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 owns (up)
Verb
  • After 17 years behind bars, convicted for murdering his pregnant wife, Max is exonerated after someone else confesses to the crime.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 June 2026
  • Rafa confesses to eating chocolate in violation of his strict diet.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • That combination is far more psychologically powerful than the industry sometimes admits.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • Now, the couple mostly laughs about the moment, even though Crawford admits the memory will probably stick with them forever.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
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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Cite this Entry

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

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