Word
confessing
Phoneticscon·fess·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈfɛsɪŋ/
UK/kənfˈɛsɪŋ/
Definition
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 thought. Often used with the preposition 'to' or followed by a 'that' clause.
Examples
“He is confessing to the crime right now.”
“After hours of questioning, the suspect is finally confessing to his role in the robbery.”
“The protagonist spends the final chapter confessing his deepest regrets to a stranger, seeking a sense of absolution that his own family could never provide.”
Examples
simple
“He is confessing to the crime right now.”
contextual
“After hours of questioning, the suspect is finally confessing to his role in the robbery.”
complex
“The protagonist spends the final chapter confessing his deepest regrets to a stranger, seeking a sense of absolution that his own family could never provide.”
Usage
The verb is often followed by the preposition 'to' plus a gerund or noun phrase, or by a 'that' clause.
Pitfall
He is confessing the crime to the police.
He is confessing to the crime.
When admitting to a specific act or crime, the verb usually requires the preposition 'to' before the noun phrase.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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