verb

confess

Translation

to confess, to admit, to own up, to acknowledge

He confessed his crime to the police.

She confessed to breaking the vase.

I must confess I don't like his new book.

((sth.)) ((to sb.)) to admit that you have done (sth.) wrong He confessed his secret to his best friend.

((to -ing)) to admit to doing (sth.) He confessed to stealing the money.

((that ...)) to admit (sth.) is true I must confess that I was wrong.

Synonyms: admit, acknowledge, own up; Antonyms: deny, conceal

From Latin 'confiteri' (to acknowledge). 'con-' (altogether, completely) + 'fateri' (to admit).

To 'profess' something completely ('con-'). You are fully stating something you did or believe.