Synonyms of confess

confess

verb

kən-ˈfes 

1

as in to admit

to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid

the thief confessed to dozens of robberies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to concede

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

political prisoners, under threat of torture, forced to confess their guilt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Examples of confess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite their efforts, Klum confessed to PEOPLE that her husband didn't have a great sense of rhythm and the two were still stuck on their first routine. —Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2024

In a December interview, Wallen confessed that Post Malone’s studio hours were hard for him. —Melinda Newman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2024

The woman came forward to the FBI after Berhan confessed infidelity to her. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024

During an interview with BPD, one of the suspects confessed to his planning and involvement in the attack, the release says. —Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 8 Aug. 2024