Synonyms of admit

admit

verb

əd-ˈmit 

1

as in to confess

to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly

the host of the talk show eventually admitted that she hadn't actually read the book

you can't bring yourself to admit your mistakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confess
• concede
• acknowledge
• agree
• recognize
• reveal
• disclose
• announce
• tell
• say
• accept
• confirm
• grant
• allow
• own (up to)
• declare
• fess (up)
• come clean (about)
• affirm
• proclaim
• publish
• profess
• inform
• expose
• unload
• divulge
• warn
• talk
• avow
• yield
• betray
• communicate
• spill
• impart
• whisper
• broadcast
• unburden
• breathe
• tip (off)
• give away
• unveil
• leak
• disburden
• wise (up)
• break
• blab
• squeal
• tattle
• rat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• disclaim
• contradict
• reject
• negative
• disallow
• dispute
• refute
• hide
• rebut
• negate
• disavow
• conceal
• repudiate
• cover (up)
• disown
• veil
• gainsay
• obscure
• kid (oneself)

2

as in to receive

to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to

she was admitted to Harvard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• receive
• enter
• take
• welcome
• entertain
• confirm
• ratify
• fellowship

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• dismiss
• reject
• bar
• ban
• disapprove
• decline
• disallow
• exile
• expel
• banish
• throw out
• ostracize
• deport
• oust
• blackball
• blacklist

3

as in to own (up)

to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid

I admit to some suspicions about the new neighbors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confess
• own (up)
• cop (to)
• fess (up)
• talk
• spill
• tattle
• blab
• babble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shut up
• quiet (down)
• hush
• clam up

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb admit contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of admit are acknowledge, avow, confess, and own. While all these words mean "to disclose against one's will or inclination," admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

When would acknowledge be a good substitute for admit?

The words acknowledge and admit can be used in similar contexts, but acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

When can avow be used instead of admit?

The words avow and admit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Where would confess be a reasonable alternative to admit?

While the synonyms confess and admit are close in meaning, confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

When is it sensible to use own instead of admit?

In some situations, the words own and admit are roughly equivalent. However, own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of admit

Dave Canales was honest about the team’s shortcomings, admitting that neither side of the ball played well enough to win. — Will Dehmel, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2026

In the agreement, the company admitted that employees provided improper payments and benefits to alcohol retailers for years, including cash, gift cards, luxury goods, resort stays, golf trips and airfare. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

An ingenious means of admitting natural light has been contrived so that, during the daytime, parts of these wonderfully austere and stony subterranean cellars, which ought to be very dark indeed, remain softly radiant. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan, Davidson admitted that this anniversary was particularly tough. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing admit

• admit (of)