own up

verb

owned up; owning up; owns up
Synonyms of own upnext

intransitive verb

: to admit to being responsible for something
denied having broken the window, but later owned up
—usually used with to
They owned up to having broken the window.

Examples of own up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Nobody who testified would own up to ordering the diversion or claim to know who did, according to the grand jury that investigated the Hope Florida mess. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Individual firms can own up to 20% of an NBA team, according to Sports Business Journal, and 30% of a single team can be owned by private-equity firms. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Institutional funds can own up to 30% of an NBA team, with a single fund holding no more than 20%. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026 In November, the government made a deal to own up to 20% of Westinghouse Electric. — James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for own up

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of own up was in 1844

Rhymes for own up

See All Rhymes for own up

Browse Nearby Words

own-root
own up
owre
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Own up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/own%20up. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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