confess

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 According to the complaint, Adam Raine began using the AI bot in the fall of 2024 for help with homework but gradually began to confess darker feelings and a desire to self-harm. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025 The former church leader and animal control officer confessed to murdering 10 people between 1974 and 1991 in and around Wichita. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025 Allan-Headley costars on Devil in Disguise as Detective Michael Albrecht, who was deeply involved in the Gacy investigation and present when Gacy confessed to the murders. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Oct. 2025 Political commentator Candace Owens, does not believe the official story that Charlie Kirk was assassinated by Tyler Robinson even though Robinson confessed to multiple people and investigators put together a concrete timeline of events. Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confess
admit
Verb
  • While his girlfriend’s commitment to her studies impressed him, the man admitted that her routine had become a nightly obstacle to his rest.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • When the cremation center staff asked what happened, the partner admitted Aria had been killed by a larger dog.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confess. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confess

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