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 Satisfied that would not happen, Stam confessed that, yes, he had been involved in a plot to smuggle 20kg of cocaine from Brazil to the German city of Frankfurt. Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025 Jeremiah punches Conrad, and the latter confesses his love to her. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 13 Aug. 2025 Masha confesses to an affair with married army officer Vershinin (James Lewis), while Andrey admits to having mortgaged the family home, without his sisters’ consent, to pay his gambling debts. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025 In 1957, Gein confessed in the Wisconsin community of Plainfield to killing two local women, digging up bodies from graveyards, and using body parts and skin to make everything from trophies to lampshades. Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confess
admit
Verb
  • Leaders who admit errors with humor demonstrate resilience.
    Paul Boross MBE, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Fans cannot line up for the show before that time, with people admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
    Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confess. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confess

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