Confession: meaning, definitions and examples
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confession
[ kənˈfɛʃ(ə)n ]
religious
A formal statement admitting one's sins or faults, especially in a religious context.
Synonyms
admission, avowal, declaration.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| confession |
Used when someone reveals something personal or secret, often admitting wrongdoings or sins. Has a strong connotation with religious contexts.
|
| admission |
Commonly employed when acknowledging the truth of a situation or accepting responsibility. It can also mean entering a place or institution.
|
| avowal |
Used in more formal or literary contexts when someone openly declares something, often related to feelings or intentions.
|
| declaration |
Appropriate for formal announcements or statements, often public and official. Can also refer to asserting something clearly and emphatically.
|
Examples of usage
- He made a confession to the priest.
- She decided to make a confession and seek forgiveness.
legal
A formal statement admitting that one is guilty of a crime.
Synonyms
acknowledgment, admission, admission of guilt.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| confession |
Used when someone is revealing a personal or secret truth, often related to something they've done wrong or a deep feeling. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
|
| admission |
Used when accepting the truth of something, typically in a formal or official context. It often implies some level of responsibility or guilt.
|
| admission of guilt |
Used when someone accepts responsibility for a wrongdoing or crime. This phrase is often used in legal and official circumstances.
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| acknowledgment |
Used when recognizing the existence or truth of something, often publicly or officially. It doesn't necessarily imply wrongdoing.
|
Examples of usage
- The suspect signed a confession in front of the lawyer.
- The confession was used as evidence in the trial.
personal
An admission or acknowledgment of one's actions, feelings, or thoughts.
Synonyms
admission, disclosure, revealing.
Examples of usage
- She made a confession about her true feelings.
- His confession brought relief and closure.
Translations
Translations of the word "confession" in other languages:
🇵🇹 confissão
🇮🇳 स्वीकारोक्ति
🇩🇪 Geständnis
🇮🇩 pengakuan
🇺🇦 зізнання
🇵🇱 wyznanie
🇯🇵 告白 (kokuhaku)
🇫🇷 confession
🇪🇸 confesión
🇹🇷 itiraf
🇰🇷 고백 (gobaek)
🇸🇦 اعتراف
🇨🇿 přiznání
🇸🇰 priznanie
🇨🇳 忏悔 (chànhuǐ)
🇸🇮 priznanje
🇮🇸 játning
🇰🇿 мойындау
🇬🇪 აღიარება
🇦🇿 etiraf
🇲🇽 confesión
Etymology
The word 'confession' originated from the Latin word 'confessionem', which means a public declaration. In religious contexts, confession has been a practice of admitting sins or faults for centuries, with the belief that it leads to forgiveness and redemption. In legal settings, a confession is a formal acknowledgment of guilt, often used as evidence in trials. Personally, confession can be a way to express one's true feelings or thoughts, leading to emotional release and catharsis.
See also: confess, confessedly, confessions.