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 An appellate court on Wednesday ruled that the San Diego Superior Court judge who leads a specialized court for mentally ill criminal defendants must heed challenges raised by prosecutors and step aside as judge in hearings to consider whether to admit two potential new participants. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025 Her family was called to the hospital, and she was admitted for several days for further testing. Jordan Greene, People.com, 25 June 2025 The guards did not admit the visitors, who were wearing civilian clothes. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025 Perez admitted nailing an ace isn't solely based on skill. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for admit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admit
Verb
  • During an interview with the detectives, Owen confessed to the shooting and provided multiple corroborating details, police said Detectives then obtained an arrest warrant and took him into custody.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025
  • After being caught, Rudolph confessed to the crimes that killed two people in a plea bargain that took the death penalty off the table.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Yaroslavsky said that council action is not connected to her proposal, which could receive a vote from the full council by the end of next week.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
  • Here’s the truth: Nearly all universities in the United States receive some level of federal funding.
    Ata Sarajedini, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Luckily for Boca, Auckland has conceded an average of eight goals per game in this tournament.
    Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • At the time, the Trump Administration was attempting to negotiate a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, with terms that heavily favored Putin: Ukraine would concede all the territory that Russia had occupied and give up its effort to join NATO.
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • However, both executives acknowledged current economic challenges in the streaming sector.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 June 2025
  • The city of Live Oak acknowledged Pamma’s arrest in a statement and declined further comment.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The Phoenix Suns reportedly agreed to trade Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, marking one of the first major moves of the NBA offseason.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
  • His quest to get out of Phoenix became relatively painless, as the Suns reportedly agreed to trade him to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, this year’s 10th pick and five second-round selections.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Admit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admit. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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