FESS UP Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

fess (up)

verb

ˈfes

Definition of fess (up)

as in to admit

to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly he fessed up to breaking the antique vase only after his guilt was obvious

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as in to confess

to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid at first he denied everything, but eventually he realized that he had no choice but to fess up

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for fess (up)

Verb

Let’s say a patient is admitted with diverticulitis requiring surgery (typically billed as DRG 331 if there are no complications).

— Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
The hospital has been placed under quarantine, Mayor Maxim Modin said Friday, no longer admitting or discharging patients, and its laboratory halted carrying out routine tests.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of admit

Verb

Ji-hye’s punishment Ji-hye is devastated at the arrest of her son, and furiously tries to confess to the crime herself.

— Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
With the whizbang action long in the series’ rearview, this quiet road trip proves its emotional centerpiece, as Noah confesses both his true nature and his desire to be better — the conflict of his programming.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

In that world, humans might retain (for a while) a desire to acknowledge the role of AI in those discoveries, even bestowing previously human-only awards upon the responsible AI agents.

— Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Koltai asks visitors to communicate their expectations and boundaries, but acknowledges that people can feel violated and that staff aren’t always present or equipped to monitor encounters.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of acknowledge

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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fessing (up)

fess (up)

fest

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“Fess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fess%20%28up%29. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fess (up)

verb

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