ENGLISH
REFERENCE

confessed

v.
B1 Intermediate US //kənˈfɛst// UK //kənfˈɛst// con·fessed

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 fault, crime, or private feeling. Often used with a direct object or a 'that' clause to indicate the content of the admission.


SIMPLE

He finally confessed to breaking the window.

CONTEXTUAL

After hours of questioning, the suspect confessed that he had stolen the car from the parking lot.

COMPLEX

Although she initially denied any involvement, she eventually confessed her true feelings for him during a moment of unexpected vulnerability.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is often followed by the preposition 'to' or a 'that' clause.

Pitfall

He confessed me his secret.He confessed his secret to me.Confess is not a ditransitive verb; you must use 'to' before the person receiving the information.

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