1
as in admitted
to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid
the thief confessed to dozens of robberies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in acknowledged
to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly
political prisoners, under threat of torture, forced to confess their guilt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confessed
The traveler confessed to extorting others to commit self-harm, the memo said.
—
Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Today, the Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid, shortly after winning a bronze medal, tearfully confessed to cheating on his girlfriend and being wracked by regret.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid won his first individual Olympic medal on Tuesday, then immediately confessed to cheating — but not in the 20-kilometer individual race.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
This could easily have been nipped in the bud had Brook confessed to what had happened before the third ODI in Wellington, rather than halfway through the game itself, and then immediately been suspended just for that game by England.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The police force said that the man’s partner was present at the residence and allegedly confessed to the crime.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Investigators said Horner, who lived in Lake Worth, a small suburb of Fort Worth, confessed to killing Athena.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
Days after the segment was recorded, Schmitz shot Amedure to death, then confessed to the murder, saying he'd been humiliated on national TV.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
In the prosecution's closing argument, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Kyle Elderkin pointed out that Scott confessed to multiple elements of the crimes.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Today, the Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid, shortly after winning a bronze medal, tearfully confessed to cheating on his girlfriend and being wracked by regret.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid won his first individual Olympic medal on Tuesday, then immediately confessed to cheating — but not in the 20-kilometer individual race.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
This could easily have been nipped in the bud had Brook confessed to what had happened before the third ODI in Wellington, rather than halfway through the game itself, and then immediately been suspended just for that game by England.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The police force said that the man’s partner was present at the residence and allegedly confessed to the crime.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Investigators said Horner, who lived in Lake Worth, a small suburb of Fort Worth, confessed to killing Athena.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
Days after the segment was recorded, Schmitz shot Amedure to death, then confessed to the murder, saying he'd been humiliated on national TV.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
In the prosecution's closing argument, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Kyle Elderkin pointed out that Scott confessed to multiple elements of the crimes.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confessed
Verb
-
Julien Chorier, the sports director for the UTMB World Series and an accomplished trail runner himself, admitted race officials are concerned about runners using certain painkillers during races, but remaining consistent with WADA is more important for now.—
Dan England,
Outside,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Guests who exit the building during an event will not be admitted back inside.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In her remarks, academy President Lynette Howell Taylor acknowledged the questions many nominees have been asking themselves amid industry contraction, political volatility and global conflict.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Frydnes acknowledged that awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to individuals facing persecution can carry risks, potentially intensifying pressure against them.—
Jomana Karadsheh,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The invitation never came, and Zelensky conceded in our interview that basic questions related to the document remain unresolved.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Malinowski conceded the congressional special election primary to progressive activist Analilia Mejia on Tuesday after Mejia notched 889 votes more than Malinowski in her comeback win.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confessed. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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