confess

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb confess contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of confess are acknowledge, admit, avow, and own. While all these words mean "to disclose against one's will or inclination," confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

When could acknowledge be used to replace confess?

In some situations, the words acknowledge and confess are roughly equivalent. However, acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

Where would admit be a reasonable alternative to confess?

Although the words admit and confess have much in common, admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

When can avow be used instead of confess?

While the synonyms avow and confess are close in meaning, 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 own take the place of confess?

While in some cases nearly identical to confess, own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

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 confess Ruby confessed to cutting off her son’s oxygen, tying his wrists and ankles, withholding food, and forcing both her son and daughter to do physical labor as punishment— all in the hopes of driving out evil from them. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025 Among others, the psychologist Vallejo and the press officer, Patricia Perez, confessed to this. Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025 Tabler was arrested four days later and confessed to the shooting in front of police. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025 At the apartment, police found bloody rags stuffed in a closet — and 23-year-old Christian Millet, Echevarria’s roommate and his ex-girlfriend’s grandson, who prosecutors say cracked under questioning and confessed to killing him. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confess

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Cite this Entry

“Confess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confess. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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