Synonyms for

Confess

Verb / kʌˈnfes / Another word for confess — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to admit or acknowledge something that one has done or is guilty of

Synonyms & similar words

fink concede squeal profess admit avow declare disclose own profess reveal acknowledge grant confide

Synonyms by register

Formal

admit acknowledge avow profess

Informal

own up fess up spill the beans come clean

Literary

unburden divulge reveal

Antonyms

deny disclaim rebut refute contradict disown repudiate

Common collocations

  • confess to a crime
  • confess to a mistake
  • confess your sins
  • confess your feelings
  • confess to the police
  • confess to an affair
  • confess to lying

Word family

noun confession
verb confess
adjective confessional

Usage note

Confess often implies admitting to something wrong or shameful. It can be used formally or informally, but 'own up' and 'fess up' are more casual alternatives.

Example sentences

  1. I had to confess that I broke the vase.
  2. He confessed to stealing the candy.
  3. She was relieved after confessing her mistake.
  4. They forced him to confess to the crime.
  5. He felt better after confessing his feelings to her.

Quotes

  • Confession is always weakness. The grave soul keeps its own secrets, and takes its own punishment in silence.
  • To confess a fault freely is the next thing to being innocent of it.
  • Confession is good for the soul only in the sense that a tweed coat is good for dandruff - it is a palliative rather than a remedy.

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