to acknowledge or avow (a fault, crime, misdeed, weakness, etc.) by way of revelation.

to own or admit as true

I must confess that I haven't read the book.

to declare or acknowledge (one's sins), esp. to God or a priest in order to obtain absolution.

(of a priest) to hear the confession of (a person).

to acknowledge one's belief or faith in; declare adherence to.

to reveal by circumstances.

to make confession; plead guilty; own

to confess to a crime.

to make confession of sins, esp. to a priest.

(of a priest) to hear confession.

verb

conceal , deny , disavow , disown , hide , mask , repudiate , secrete

verb

acknowledge , affirm , allow , assert , attest , aver , avow , blow , blurt out , chirp , clue in , come clean * , come out , concede , confide , declare , disclose , divulge , dump on , evince , finger * , fink * , grant , humble oneself , leak * , let on * , level with , make clean breast of , manifest , narrate , open one’s heart , own , own up , post , profess , prove , rat on , recognize , relate , reveal , sing * , snitch * , sound off , spill the beans * , spit out , squeal * , tip hand , unload * , vent , weasel * , admit , recant , shrive , sing , unload