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 The broadcaster has therefore decided that participation by AVROTROS in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will not be possible as long as Israel is admitted by the EBU. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025 Coon admitted that their daughter has also taken up a strange favorite film. Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025 In the statement, BART also admitted blame publicly for the first time. Harry Harris, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025 These generations are looking for leaders who are transparent, willing to admit mistakes and comfortable showing vulnerability. Kathryn Lancioni, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for admit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admit
Verb
  • While Hadden-Paton was unsuccessful in keeping his dapper suit, his costar, Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, confessed to Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan on Live!
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The suspect was later named as 22-year-old Robinson, and was reported to have confessed to the crime to his father.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Guests booking stays between September 12 and December 25, 2025, can selecg the Experience More package, receiving a resort credit of up to USD $800 on dining, wellness, and curated in-residence experiences.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Hortmans’ assassination received a flurry of coverage over the strange circumstances under which it was carried out, with pictures of Boelter in his silicone mask initially flooding social media.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The department is denying student loan forgiveness to borrowers in the IBR plan who have reached the 20- or 25-year threshold for discharge, even while the department concedes that loan forgiveness is authorized under IBR and has not been blocked or enjoined by any court.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • In his first big league start, Yesavage struck out nine batters in five innings while conceding just one run.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Maybe not in the broadcast moment, but later, in interviews or conversations, acknowledging disappointment has its own dignity.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • OpenAI, for example, acknowledged in its response to the lawsuit that safety features can degrade over long conversions, despite the fact that the chatbot itself has been optimized to hold these longer conversations.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Likewise, endorsing the belief that a college degree is important for economic success is different than agreeing that the typical college curriculum equips students with essential job skills.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • On Friday, Chelsea agreed a deal to sign Emanuel Emegha from BlueCo sister club RC Strasbourg in a move that will be finalised in 2026.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Admit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admit. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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