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 Given my outlook on life, owning a bespoke suit was not an outcome I was predestined for. —

Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025 The Dispatch was sold in 2015 and is no longer owned by the Dispatch Printing Company. —

Bethany Bruner, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025 Key stat Notre Dame owned a 45-12 advantage in points off turnovers. —

Curt Rallo, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Before my family moved in, the home was owned, at different times, by famous architects such as Craig Ellwood and Peter Kamnitzer. —

The Editors Of Ad, Architectural Digest, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for own

Recent Examples of Synonyms for own

Verb

Besides the Inability Committee, the governor has authority to remove a mayor.

— Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025
The company has billions in government contracts, primarily with NASA and the Pentagon.

— April Rubin, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025