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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for own (up)
Verb
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A couple of weeks later, Gillooly confessed and also agreed to testify that Harding approved the plan to attack Kerrigan.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026 -
At that point, Koren confessed.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lee admits she was greatly influenced by her dad, acting as his assistant for three years before assuming the head coaching position, and her college coach, Brian McManus.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
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Salazarmontano also admitted sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Own (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/own%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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