owning (up)

present participle of own (up)
as in confessing
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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for owning (up)
Verb
  • Harvick commented on the setback, admitting that Blaney was in a powerful car but pointed out that this was his second motor to go up.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Model vulnerability by admitting your missteps, demonstrating that open communication is valued.
    Michael D. Watkins, Big Think, 24 Mar. 2025
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

“Owning (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/owning%20%28up%29. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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