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

Examples 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 Stutzman owns several businesses and previously served as the 3rd Congressional District representative from 2010 through 2017. —

Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024 Three single-room occupancy hotels owned by the trio — buildings similar to those in the trust portfolio — were left nearly empty and Pustilnikov had problems with oversight and financing for other low-income properties in the neighborhood. —

Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 Vodafone and Three were lagging behind larger rivals EE, which was bought by BT in 2016, and behind O2, which is owned by Telefonica and Liberty Global. —

Ryan Browne, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 Now 500 years later, she’s tried her hand at various careers such as becoming a member of the vampiric council — the governing body in the vampire world — and owning a nightclub, always with an eye towards climbing the vampire social ladder. —

Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for own

Recent Examples of Synonyms for own

Verb

Grasslands and agricultural areas had the highest levels of coyote abundance and both of these regions provide them with prey and shelter.

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Field pumpkins have a watery, stringy and sometimes bitter taste.

Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024