confession Definition
- 1the act of admitting that you have done something wrong or illegal
- 2a formal statement admitting that one is guilty of a crime
- 3a 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
Idioms Using confession
Example
He decided to make a clean breast of his past mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
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.
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
a statement of religious belief, especially one that is recited publicly
Example
The congregation recited the confession of faith during the Sunday service.
an admission of romantic feelings towards someone
Example
He finally gathered the courage to make a confession of love to her.
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'
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.
