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

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 admit However, Radnor admitted that he was always intrigued by the writers' process despite not wanting to participate in it himself. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Hegseth’s response has been to sack people around and run leak investigations, not admitting his own errors. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025 She was admitted again months later and had a pacemaker implanted. Christine Pelisek, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Underground dog fighting brings harm hundreds of canines Dog fights gained international scrutiny after NFL quarterback Michael Vick admitted in 2007 to participating in the mélées. Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for admit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admit
Verb
  • The tattooed singer isn't the first celebrity to recently confess to having a bathroom emergency on stage.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • As the veteran investigator and his suspect began their drive, Jones confessed to Ford.
    Lauren A. White, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Obtaining funding was another significant challenge, particularly in dealing with the way gender often influences who receives investment money.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The new restrictions, which have raised the risk of global shortages, require exporters of medium and heavy rare earths in question to receive licenses from China’s Ministry of Commerce.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • While results at the time tasted similar to the real thing, its inventors conceded that the texture didn’t quite work.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Berlin has changed a lot since Soho House opened here, Bryan conceded, when asked how the organization keeps its cachet after all these years.
    Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Angela and Drew apologize for hurting Brit’s feelings, and Brit acknowledges understanding where the other women are coming from, with everyone finally agreeing to move forward.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
  • No foul was called, but the crew chief for the game, David Guthrie, later acknowledged that a foul occurred.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Despite their differences, all agree on one thing: America's plummeting birthrate is a major problem, and, unless something changes, society may be doomed.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Leonard agreed to testify as an expert witness, and warned in the filing that the Trump administration's blanket suspension of clearances held by Perkins Coie employees was reminiscent of programs from the 1950s, including during the Red Scare.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Admit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admit. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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