Word
confessed
Phoneticscon·fessed
US/kənˈfɛst/
UK/kənfˈɛst/
Definitions
01admitted a crime or mistake
v. admitted that you did something wrong or illegal.
v. admitted to a crime, fault, or error, often under legal or moral pressure. Transitive or used with the preposition 'to'.
“After hours of questioning, the suspect finally confessed to the robbery.”
“The defendant confessed to the charges only after the prosecution presented overwhelming forensic evidence that linked him to the scene.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'to' when referring to an action or crime.
Pitfall
He confessed the crime to the police.
He confessed to the crime.
While you can confess a secret, when talking about a crime or a specific action, you usually need the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
02shared a secret feeling
v. told someone a secret or a feeling that you had been keeping inside.
v. disclosed a private thought, feeling, or desire that was previously hidden.
“She confessed that she had been feeling very lonely lately.”
“He confessed his long-standing admiration for her work during the quiet moments of the retirement dinner.”
03admitted or self-identified
adj. describes someone who has openly admitted to being or doing something.
adj. denoting a person who has openly admitted to a particular habit, belief, or identity. Usually placed before the noun.
“As a confessed chocolate lover, he couldn't resist the dessert menu.”
“The author, a confessed technophobe, still writes all of his initial drafts using a fountain pen and heavy bond paper.”
Formal
Usage
Almost exclusively used in an attributive position before a noun.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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englishreference.com/q/confessed