confession

[kənˈfɛʃən]

confession Definition

• 1. the act of admitting that you have done something wrong or illegal
• 2. a formal statement admitting that one is guilty of a crime
• 3. a statement admitting to having committed a sin or wrongdoing

Using confession: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "confession" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He made a full confession to the police.

• Example

  The priest heard his confession and gave him absolution.

• Example

  She wrote a confession letter to her parents.

• Example

  The criminal's confession was used as evidence in court.

confession Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for confession

• admission
• acknowledgment
• avowal
• declaration
• disclosure

Antonyms for confession

• denial
• disavowal

Idioms Using confession

• make a clean breast of something

  to confess to something openly and honestly

  Example

  He decided to make a clean breast of his past mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

• have no truck with something

  to refuse to be involved with or associated with something, especially something dishonest or illegal

  Example

  He told his colleagues that he would have no truck with their plan to cover up the company's financial fraud.

• sing like a canary

  to confess or reveal information about a crime or wrongdoing, especially under pressure or threat of punishment

  Example

  The suspect sang like a canary after being interrogated by the police for hours.

Phrases with confession

• confession of faith

  a statement of religious belief, especially one that is recited publicly

  Example

  The congregation recited the confession of faith during the Sunday service.

• confession of love

  an admission of romantic feelings towards someone

  Example

  He finally gathered the courage to make a confession of love to her.

• forced confession

  a statement admitting guilt that is obtained through coercion or torture

  Example

  The human rights organization condemned the use of forced confessions by the police.

Origins of confession

from Latin 'confessio', meaning 'acknowledgment'

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Summary: confession in Brief

The term 'confession' [kənˈfɛʃən] refers to the act of admitting to wrongdoing, whether it be a crime or a sin. It can be a formal statement, such as in a court of law or a religious setting, or a personal admission. Phrases like 'confession of faith' and 'forced confession' extend the term's usage, while idioms like 'make a clean breast of something' and 'sing like a canary' describe the act of confessing.