ADMIT Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

admit

verb

əd-ˈmit

Definition of admit next

as in to confess

to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly the host of the talk show eventually admitted that she hadn't actually read the book you can't bring yourself to admit your mistakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to receive

to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to she was admitted to Harvard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to own (up)

to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid I admit to some suspicions about the new neighbors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Fat Joe recently admitted that he is confused by the current state of Hip-Hop, specifically certain sub-genres. —

Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 21 Jan. 2025 Even in reaching past settlements over the years, News UK has never admitted culpability for criminal activity by The Sun. —

David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025 Minato admitted the network had sat on knowledge of the incident for roughly six months before the magazine expose broke the story. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025 So far, nearly 1.5 million migrants have been admitted through CHNV and the CBP One app. —

Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for admit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for admit

Verb

Enterprising captains — including, Pujol confesses, his own grandfather, who owned a 38-foot lobster boat — would pick up migrants in Cuba and deliver them to waiting family members parked at the traffic circle.

— Nicolas Rivero, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
James Earl Ray, a 40-year-old escaped fugitive, later confessed to the crime and was sentenced to a 99-year prison term.

— Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025