OWN (UP) Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

own (up)

verb

Definition of own (up)

as in to confess

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 own (up)

Verb

At the time, the movie superstar confessed to nervously practicing the song alone in his pickup truck, in his garage, to get the complicated rap right.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Emerald Isle, North Carolina, confesses its obvious charms—brilliant blue-green waters, a verdant maritime forest, and lush marshes—in its name.

— Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 7 July 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

Leaders also expect to sign an agreement admitting French Guiana before the conference concludes on Wednesday.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
In February 2025, Musk admitted DOGE accidentally ended—and then quickly restored—funding for Ebola prevention, saying there was no interruption to programming.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026

Definition of admit

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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“Own (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/own%20%28up%29. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of own (up)

verb

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