1
as in admitting
to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid
the thief confessed to dozens of robberies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in acknowledging
to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly
political prisoners, under threat of torture, forced to confess their guilt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confessing
California metal vets Neurosis have surprised-released An Undying Love for a Burning World, their first album in a decade, and first since co-founder Scott Kelly left the band after confessing to domestic abuse.
—
Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
The emergence of the mysterious key in Homer and Plumb’s possession has spooked him off from confessing any further.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
So did confessing to a crime, oddly.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
After finally confessing to their bosses about these secret missions, they were allowed to continue.
—Costa Beavin Pappas, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The two erupt in argument, in misunderstanding, with John confessing his anger at his lot.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
First there was Norwegian’s Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating on his girlfriend during a live interview after winning the bronze medal and tearfully begging her to come back (shockingly, humiliating his ex on national television didn’t work).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
The Milwaukee man accused of fatally stabbing his 44-year-old girlfriend then allegedly confessing to the crime in a text message apologized to her family during his first court hearing.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The judge also barred Jones’ attorneys from presenting evidence related to other people confessing to the murder, allegedly placing a hit on Pata and threatening Pata before his killing.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
The emergence of the mysterious key in Homer and Plumb’s possession has spooked him off from confessing any further.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
So did confessing to a crime, oddly.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
After finally confessing to their bosses about these secret missions, they were allowed to continue.
—Costa Beavin Pappas, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The two erupt in argument, in misunderstanding, with John confessing his anger at his lot.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
First there was Norwegian’s Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating on his girlfriend during a live interview after winning the bronze medal and tearfully begging her to come back (shockingly, humiliating his ex on national television didn’t work).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
The Milwaukee man accused of fatally stabbing his 44-year-old girlfriend then allegedly confessing to the crime in a text message apologized to her family during his first court hearing.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The judge also barred Jones’ attorneys from presenting evidence related to other people confessing to the murder, allegedly placing a hit on Pata and threatening Pata before his killing.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confessing
Verb
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Nardi wasn’t shy about admitting how tough the recovery process was both physically and mentally.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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In 2004, a former journalist for El Mercurio published a letter in The Clinic admitting her failure to report on human rights violations and remembering colleagues who had been disappeared for their work.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The deal involved more than 100 nondisclosure agreements, allowed 10 residents to buy homes in the megasite zone without acknowledging the houses were targeted for demolition and offered up to $27 billion in incentives to a semiconductor manufacturer that ultimately walked away.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Iannarelli suggested techniques such as listening actively, acknowledging frustration without agreeing, offering personal space, and adjusting the environment by inviting someone to sit down or step aside for a private discussion.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confessing. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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