confession

An admission that you have done something wrong or something you kept secret.

• I have a confession to make.
• His confession surprised everyone in the room.
• Police questioned her again after the confession.

How to use it: confession that… (Her confession that she had lied upset us.); confession to someone (His confession to the police came several days later.)

Similar words: admission

Opposites: denial

Common phrases: make a confession, confession to someone, confession that something

A formal written statement in which someone admits doing something wrong.

• He signed a confession.
• The lawyer said the written confession was false.
• Two signed confessions were presented in court.

Similar words: written admission

Common phrases: written confession, sign a confession, signed confession

The act of telling a priest about your sins and asking for God’s forgiveness.

• She went to confession on Saturday.
• The priest hears confession before the evening service.
• He felt calmer after his first confession.

How to use it: go to confession (My grandmother goes to confession regularly.)

Common phrases: go to confession, hear confession, first confession