confess

verb

kən-ˈfes How to pronounce confess (audio)
Definition of confessnext
1
as in to admit
to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid the thief confessed to dozens of robberies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to concede
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

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 Marilyn Gleason, 80, now confesses: Each week, millions of TV viewers actually saw the skyline of Bal Harbour. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025 The day of their dumping, Taylor even confessed that Clarke may be The One. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025 Two of this year’s special guests were there to pick up their Crystal Globe awards, the first being actress Vicky Krieps, who confessed to being woefully unprepared for the occasion. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 July 2025 During an interview with police, Lamb confessed to raping the child in 2022, according to the release. —arkansasonline.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for confess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confess
admit
Verb
  • Chesky admits that remaining composed while covering these tragedies has been a challenge for him, especially as the father of a 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor.
    — Rachel McRady, People.com, 8 July 2025
  • That got worse through emergency room trips on May 18 and May 20, the latter leading to University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she was admitted.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
Definition of admit

Browse Nearby Words

confers (on)
confess
confessed
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Cite this Entry

“Confess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confess. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of confess for Spanish Speakers

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