confess
v.v. to admit that you have done something wrong, illegal, or embarrassing. You use this when you finally tell the truth about a secret.
v. to admit or acknowledge a crime, fault, or private feeling. Often used in legal, religious, or interpersonal contexts to describe the disclosure of hidden information.
He decided to confess to his parents about the broken window.
After hours of questioning by the police, the suspect finally agreed to confess to the robbery.
While some find it difficult to share their failures, she chose to confess her insecurities to her mentor, hoping for honest guidance and support.
From Middle English confessen, from Anglo-Norman confesser, from Old French confesser, from Latin confessus (Old French confés), past participle of cōnfiteor (“I confess, I admit”) from con- + fateor (“to admit”). Displaced Middle English andetten (“to confess, admit”) (from Old English andettan). Doublet of confiteor. Sense 6 is a calque of 告白 (kokuhaku).
The verb is often used with the preposition 'to' before the person or the action, or followed by a 'that' clause.
He confessed the crime to the police.He confessed to the crime.When admitting to a specific act or crime, 'confess' usually requires the preposition 'to' before the noun.