Synonym Chooser

How does the verb admit contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of admit are acknowledge, avow, confess, and own. While all these words mean "to disclose against one's will or inclination," admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

When would acknowledge be a good substitute for admit?

The words acknowledge and admit can be used in similar contexts, but acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

When can avow be used instead of admit?

The words avow and admit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about.

avowed that he was a revolutionary

Where would confess be a reasonable alternative to admit?

While the synonyms confess and admit are close in meaning, confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

When is it sensible to use own instead of admit?

In some situations, the words own and admit are roughly equivalent. However, own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of admit Yes on 2 released a statement before the AP call, admitting the amendment appeared to be defeated on the ballot. Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024 Coffee badging remains popular with 44% of workers still participating in this trend, with 70% admitting they’ve been caught by their employers. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 To say nothing of the quality of his work, Klepper admits that most Americans are tired of Trump jokes. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024 Prosecutors plan to admit Melly's lyrics into evidence for his retrial. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for admit 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admit
Verb
  • They were later all exonerated, having serving between five and 13 years in prison, after the true attacker confessed and was linked to the crime by DNA evidence.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • While discussing her debut album, GLORIOUS, with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden, the rapper confessed that there wasn’t an actual beef with the former City Girls star.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Sophomore Megan Liu received the trophy and quickly handed it to junior Natalie Keith.
    Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Spanish speaking students who receive TINLI services could still receive bilingual programming at several schools in the zone, including Cole, Garden Place and Swansea.
    Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Supporters react as Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, concedes the election during a speech at Howard University on Nov. 6, 2024, in Washington, DC.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Harris voters are almost certain — 9 in 10 — that Trump would not concede but Harris would.
    Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The company acknowledges the risks associated with its business, including the potential for complete loss of capital invested or borrowed.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
  • The groups challenged just how large Trump’s gains were with people of color, particularly among Latino men, but acknowledged that the gains were significant, as was the Latino gender divide.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • No one who hurls their guts up the previous night would knowingly agree to ride in a 12-passenger van hugging the cliffside of this narrow two-lane road, navigating hairpin turns on switchbacks that drop more than 2,500 feet into Red Rock Country.
    Erin Strout, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
  • Some recipients responded to the texts with anger and others with a sense of humor, but many agree that the messages seem to be a bleak foreshadowing.
    Char Adams, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near admit

Cite this Entry

“Admit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admit. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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