OWN Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'own' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of own are acknowledge , admit , avow , and confess . While all these words mean "to disclose against one's will or inclination," own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself. // must own I know little about computers

Q: When can 'acknowledge' be used instead of 'own'?

Although the words acknowledge and own have much in common, acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed. // acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

Q: When is it sensible to use 'admit' instead of 'own'?

While in some cases nearly identical to own , admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications. // admitted the project was over budget

Q: Where would 'avow' be a reasonable alternative to 'own'?

The synonyms avow and own are sometimes interchangeable, but avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about. // avowed that he was a revolutionary

Q: In what contexts can 'confess' take the place of 'own'?

In some situations, the words confess and own are roughly equivalent. However, confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt. // confessed a weakness for sweets

own

verb

Definition of own next

as in to have

to keep, control, or experience as one's own we own a modest house and an equally modest car

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How does the verb own contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of own are acknowledge, admit, avow, and confess. While all these words mean "to disclose against one's will or inclination," own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

When can acknowledge be used instead of own?

Although the words acknowledge and own have much in common, acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

When is it sensible to use admit instead of own?

While in some cases nearly identical to own, admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

Where would avow be a reasonable alternative to own?

The synonyms avow and own are sometimes interchangeable, but avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about.

avowed that he was a revolutionary

In what contexts can confess take the place of own?

In some situations, the words confess and own are roughly equivalent. However, confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of own For decades, her family has owned and operated one of this town’s finest five-star hotels, the Villa Roma Imperiale. —

Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 25 Jan. 2025 Williams’ family farm in Georgia, for example, is one of the oldest centennial farms in the U.S, a designation given to tracts of land that have been owned by the same households for more than 100 years. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025 McGregor claimed that the UFC shut down the potential fight, but both fighters are under the parent TKO brand that owns both the UFC and WWE. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 Unlike some other rideshare companies, Alto drivers are direct employees and the company owns the cars, adding to the need to have charging power at close hand. —

Ed Garsten, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for own

Recent Examples of Synonyms for own

Verb

Those who feel like breakout players of 2024-25 have actually been around for a year or more, and have had a chance to adjust.

— Michael Cox, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
On Tuesday, Netanyahu praised Mr. Trump for having unconventional ideas.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2025