Confessing: meaning, definitions and examples

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confessing

 

[ kənˈfɛsɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

religious context

Confessing refers to the act of acknowledging one's wrongdoings or sins, often in a religious or spiritual setting. It can involve a formal admission to a priest or spiritual leader, where the individual seeks forgiveness and guidance. Through confession, individuals often experience a sense of relief and accountability. This practice is common in many religious traditions, including Christianity, where it is an essential sacrament.

Synonyms

acknowledging, admitting, declaring

Examples of usage

  • She was confessing her sins to the priest.
  • He felt a weight lift after confessing his mistakes.
  • They were confessing to each other during their counseling session.
Context #2 | Verb

emotional context

In a more general sense, confessing can mean to reveal or admit to something personal or secret, often related to feelings or emotions. This might involve sharing one's love for someone, admitting a mistake, or revealing a personal struggle. The act of confessing in this context can foster deeper connections between individuals, as it requires vulnerability and honesty.

Synonyms

disclosing, revealing, unveiling

Examples of usage

  • He was confessing his love for her.
  • She started confessing her deepest fears.
  • They were confessing their feelings after years of friendship.

Translations

Translations of the word "confessing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 confessando

🇮🇳 स्वीकृति देना

🇩🇪 geständig

🇮🇩 mengaku

🇺🇦 зізнання

🇵🇱 wyznawanie

🇯🇵 告白する

🇫🇷 confession

🇪🇸 confesando

🇹🇷 itiraf etme

🇰🇷 자백하는

🇸🇦 الاعتراف

🇨🇿 přiznání

🇸🇰 priznávanie

🇨🇳 忏悔

🇸🇮 priznanje

🇮🇸 jafnvel

🇰🇿 мойындау

🇬🇪 აღიარება

🇦🇿 etiraf

🇲🇽 confesando

Word origin

The word 'confessing' originates from the Latin 'confiteri', which means 'to acknowledge' or 'to admit'. This term consists of 'con-', meaning 'with' or 'together', and 'fateri', meaning 'to admit' or 'to reveal'. The use of confessing has deep roots in religious practices, particularly in Christianity, where it has been used since the early centuries as a form of penance and reconciliation. Over time, the meaning of the term expanded to encompass broader contexts, including emotional and interpersonal admissions. Today, 'confessing' is commonly used to describe both the spiritual and personal acts of admission and transparency, reflecting a universal human experience of seeking forgiveness and connection.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,637, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.