confession

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "confession" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a statement made by someone accepting or admitting their guilt or responsibility for something. Example sentence: "The witness reluctantly made a confession about their involvement in the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have a confession to make.

The New York Times

Read more: Guantánamo torturer led brutal Chicago regime of shackling and confession Bad lieutenant: American police brutality, exported from Chicago to Guantánamo Plus: How Chicago police condemned the innocent – a trail of coerced confessions Latest: Follow the Guardian's investigation into Chicago's Homan Square.

The Guardian

There's also endless innuendo – "Yeezus just rose again" – and the odd wry confession: "I slightly scratched your Corolla [pause], OK I smashed your Corolla".

The Guardian - Music

She also asked Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary, to conduct a leak inquiry, and Carmichael went public with his confession and apology after the findings of that inquiry were published on Friday afternoon.

The Guardian

Reports filed by the police about the attack describe the confession of one leading member of the network responsible that he had instructed recruits to "take revenge against a series of rightwing figures, including Narendra Modi, or their [prayers] will not be accepted," the document says.

The Guardian

The trial included a taped confession in which he said he was a drug addict and had hired mercenaries for the attack.

The Guardian

After claims of torture, rendition, confession, aborted military commission and civilian trial, can anyone expect that justice will be served?

The Guardian - Opinion

Zuley, the other officers and assistant state's attorney John Dillon presented the shackled Johnson with a confession.

The Guardian

Related: Guantánamo torturer led brutal Chicago police regime of shackling and confession Dick Zuley's history as a military interrogator at Guantánamo and a police interrogator in Chicago scrambles that narrative.

The Guardian

"Dadayev's involvement in committing this crime is confirmed by, apart from his own confession, the totality of evidence gathered as part of this criminal case," said Judge Natalia Mushnikova.

The Guardian

It seems a confession of dark urges, a revelation of something violent in art itself.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal contexts, ensure that any "confession" presented as evidence adheres to legal standards regarding voluntariness and admissibility. Coerced confessions are inadmissible in court.

Common error

Avoid using "confession" when you mean "confirmation". A "confession" admits wrongdoing, while "confirmation" verifies something is true or accurate. Using the wrong word can drastically alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "confession" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act of admitting wrongdoing, revealing a secret, or declaring a belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It serves as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating the thing being done or discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confession" is a noun widely used to describe the act of admitting guilt, revealing a secret, or declaring a belief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its high frequency across news, business, and general contexts indicates its common usage. When using "confession", ensure that you use "confirmation" when you mean that word to verify something is true or accurate. Consider alternatives like "admission of guilt" or "declaration of faith" depending on the context. As highlighted by examples on Ludwig, a "confession" carries significant weight, often implying a moment of truth or accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admission of guilt

This alternative focuses specifically on acknowledging responsibility for wrongdoing.

acknowledgment of wrongdoing

This phrase highlights the recognition and acceptance of having committed an improper act.

mea culpa

This Latin phrase translates to "my fault" and implies an admission of responsibility.

disclosure of sins

This alternative is specific to religious contexts, referring to the act of confessing sins.

declaration of faith

This emphasizes a public statement of religious or personal beliefs.

avowal of belief

This highlights a strong and open declaration of one's convictions.

revelation of secrets

This focuses on the act of making previously unknown information public.

testimony

This refers to a formal statement or declaration, often in a legal context.

deposition

A deposition is a formal, usually written, record of an oral testimony, often used in legal proceedings.

tell-all

This term describes a comprehensive and often scandalous revelation of private information.

FAQs

How can I use "confession" in a sentence?

You can use "confession" to describe admitting guilt, revealing a secret, or professing a belief. For example, "His "confession" to the crime shocked everyone" or "She made a "confession" of her love."

What are some alternatives to the word "confession"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "admission of guilt", "declaration of faith", or "acknowledgment of wrongdoing". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

What's the difference between "confession" and "admission"?

"Confession" typically implies admitting to something wrong or embarrassing, while "admission" is a more general term for acknowledging a fact or truth. A "confession" often carries a stronger emotional or moral weight than a simple "admission".

Is a coerced "confession" admissible in court?

No, a coerced "confession" is generally not admissible in court. Legal systems require that "confessions" be voluntary and not obtained through force, threats, or deception.