confessed

word · lemma: confess

/kənˈfɛst/
kuhn-FEST
/kənfˈɛst/
kuhn-FEST

Definition

'Confessed' is the past form of 'confess'. It means someone admitted something, often something wrong, secret, or deeply personal, and it can also be used for admitting feelings or sins.

Usage & Nuances

Often used with 'to' or a 'that' clause: 'confessed to the crime', 'confessed that he lied'. Stronger and more formal than 'admit', and it often suggests guilt, pressure, honesty after hiding something, or a religious context.

Example Sentences

He confessed that he broke the window.

basic

She confessed her feelings to him.

basic

The man confessed to the police.

basic

After a few minutes, he confessed he had no idea what he was doing.

natural

She confessed to eating the last piece of cake.

natural

She finally confessed that she had been lying the whole time.

natural