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- pronunciation:
- k
 n
fes
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
confesses, confessing, confessed |
| definition 1: |
to reveal, admit, or concede as true, esp. something self-incriminating.
The defendant eventually confessed his guilt.The professor confessed his ignorance of other fields of study.She finally confessed to the teacher that she hadn't done any of the assigned reading.- synonyms:
- admit, concede, own up to
- antonyms:
- conceal, deny
- similar words:
- acknowledge, avouch, avow, declare, disclose, reveal, unbosom
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| definition 2: |
to admit or declare (one's sins) before a priest.
She felt relief after confessing her sins.- similar words:
- admit, declare, profess, reveal
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| definition 3: |
of a priest, to listen to (a penitent's confession).
After the priest had confessed the boy, he felt sad for the child's troubles.- synonyms:
- shrive
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| definition 4: |
to declare or acknowledge belief in (a creed, set of religious principles, or the like).
At the end of the church service, the congregation confesses its faith.- synonyms:
- profess
- similar words:
- asseverate, declare
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| related words: |
plead, unburden |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to make a confession; admit guilt.
He confessed to murdering all three victims.She confessed to the crime after the police found additional evidence.He confessed to being jealous of his older brother when he was growing up.- synonyms:
- own up
- similar words:
- admit, come clean, sing, unbosom
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| definition 2: |
to admit one's sins before a priest.
She went to church to confess this morning. |
| related words: |
open up, talk, tell |
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