Synonyms of admit

admit

verb

əd-ˈmit 

1

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

• confess
• concede
• acknowledge
• agree
• recognize
• reveal
• disclose
• announce
• tell
• say
• accept
• confirm
• grant
• allow
• own (up to)
• declare
• fess (up)
• come clean (about)
• affirm
• proclaim
• publish
• profess
• inform
• expose
• unload
• divulge
• warn
• talk
• avow
• yield
• betray
• communicate
• spill
• impart
• whisper
• broadcast
• unburden
• breathe
• tip (off)
• give away
• unveil
• leak
• disburden
• wise (up)
• break
• blab
• squeal
• tattle
• rat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• disclaim
• contradict
• reject
• negative
• disallow
• dispute
• refute
• hide
• rebut
• negate
• disavow
• conceal
• repudiate
• cover (up)
• disown
• veil
• gainsay
• obscure
• kid (oneself)

2

as in to receive

to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to

she was admitted to Harvard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• receive
• enter
• take
• welcome
• entertain
• confirm
• ratify
• fellowship

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• dismiss
• reject
• bar
• ban
• disapprove
• decline
• disallow
• exile
• expel
• banish
• throw out
• ostracize
• deport
• oust
• blackball
• blacklist

3

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

• confess
• own (up)
• cop (to)
• fess (up)
• talk
• spill
• tattle
• blab
• babble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shut up
• quiet (down)
• hush
• clam up

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of admit

In 1876, the club admitted two Jewish women, Henriette and Hannah Solomon. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

Holloway also admitted to making and distributing indecent images of children, while Wilson also admitted rape, assault by penetration and making indecent photographs of children. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025

To admit to trying is to admit that great style is accessible—that it can be studied and practiced—rather than something only a select few possess. —Daisy Maldonado, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025

Parents, in particular, struggle to prioritize their own health, with 60 percent admitting that daily responsibilities prevent them from getting screened, compared to 46 percent of nonparents. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

Phrases Containing admit

• admit (of)