Definitions

confess

[kuhn-fes] / kənˈfɛs /

VERB

admit, confirm

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledge assert blurt out concede confide declare disclose divulge profess prove recognize relate reveal

STRONG

affirm allow attest aver avow blow chirp evince finger fink grant leak manifest narrate own post sing snitch squeal unload vent

WEAK

clue in come clean come out dump on humble oneself let on level with make clean breast of open one's heart own up rat on sound off spill the beans spit out tip hand weasel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conceal contradict deny disavow hide keep refuse reject repudiate secrete suppress

STRONG

condemn veto withhold

WEAK

disown mask

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The first was that a key witness, one who claimed he had heard Whitton confess to the crime while in prison, had lied to the court about having a criminal record.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026

There are the shamefaced former members, who confess their gullibility as a kind of penance; there are the cockamamie claims on which the belief system is based.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

“You don’t have to confess all your sins,” said Hagerty, author of “Yours Truly: An Obituary Writer’s Guide to Telling Your Story.”

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Hoping to confess his feelings and win her over, Bear buys Nikki a trinket at a head shop, a One Wish Willow, which the clerk warns can’t be returned.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

I confess I didn’t reach out to them either.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

Vocabulary lists containing confess

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act IV

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

"America"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!