Confession vs. Admission — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
A confession is a voluntary acknowledgment of wrongdoing, typically of a personal or moral nature. An admission is a general acknowledgment or concession, not necessarily implying guilt.
Difference Between Confession and Admission
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Confession refers to the act of revealing one's guilt, faults, or sins. It often implies a strong emotional or moral burden. Admission, while it can also involve revealing the truth, is a more general term that may or may not involve wrongdoing. For instance, one may admit to liking a certain type of music, which has no moral implication.
Both Confession and Admission can appear in legal contexts but function differently. A confession in a legal sense is an admission of guilt and is often used as evidence in a criminal case. An admission in law might be simply conceding a point or recognizing a fact, not necessarily admitting guilt.
In terms of grammatical usage, both Confession and Admission function primarily as nouns. However, "confessional" can be an adjective (as in "confessional poetry"), and "admitted" can be used as a past tense verb (as in "he admitted the truth"). Despite these grammatical similarities, the words carry different connotations.
Confession often has a religious undertone, especially within Christianity, where it is a sacrament. Admission lacks such a specific cultural or religious context, though it can appear in many different environments such as educational, professional, or social.
Relating to emotional weight, Confession usually carries more gravitas because it involves the exposure of moral or ethical shortcomings. Admission can be emotionally neutral, simply involving the statement of a fact or granting of permission to enter.
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Both confession and admission revolve around the act of acknowledging or disclosing something. A confession, however, specifically denotes an acknowledgment of a fault or wrongdoing, often with a sense of regret. It frequently has moral or religious connotations.
An admission, on the other hand, is broader and doesn't necessarily imply guilt or remorse. It refers to any acknowledgment, often of facts, opinions, or realities. For instance, one might make an admission about a particular knowledge or skill without any negative implication.
Context plays a crucial role. In legal terms, a confession is a statement by a person acknowledging their guilt for a crime. An admission in the same context might refer to acknowledging specific facts, which might or might not directly imply guilt.
In daily conversation, if someone makes a confession, it often implies a revelation of something personal or previously hidden. An admission, in contrast, might be more casual or pertain to previously withheld information, regardless of its moral or ethical implications.
In essence, while both confession and admission involve revealing or acknowledging something, a confession is more about accepting personal wrongdoing or fault, while an admission can be any acknowledgment or acceptance of truth.
Comparison Chart
Type of Word
Noun, Adjective ("confessional")
Noun, Verb ("admitted")
Context
Moral, Legal, Religious
General, Legal, Educational
Connotation
Emotional or moral weight
Neutral or factual
Legal Implications
Usually an admission of guilt
Acknowledgment of fact or entrance
Emotional Weight
High
Varies, often neutral
Implication
Acknowledgment of wrongdoing or fault
General acknowledgment without necessarily implying wrongdoing
Emotion involved
Typically involves remorse or regret
Neutral, can be without any emotional attachment
Use in legal terms
Acknowledgment of guilt for a crime
Acknowledgment of facts, not necessarily implying guilt
Typical setting
Personal revelations, religious contexts
Conversations, interviews, legal proceedings
Compare with Definitions
Confession
A voluntary disclosure of guilt or wrongdoing.
His confession to theft surprised everyone.
Admission
The act of conceding or acknowledging a fact.
His admission of the error cleared up the misunderstanding.
Confession
A personal revelation that may carry emotional weight.
His confession of love moved her deeply.
Admission
A public or formal statement acknowledging something.
The CEO's admission damaged the company's reputation.
Confession
A formal declaration of sins to a priest or religious figure.
She goes for confession every month to clear her conscience.
Admission
Permission or the act of allowing entry.
Admission to the club is $10.
Confession
A personal revelation of one's wrongdoing or guilt.
His confession to the theft surprised everyone.
Admission
An acknowledgment that may reveal a personal preference.
Her admission of enjoying the movie surprised her friends.
Confession
A disclosure of private feelings or secrets.
Her diary was filled with personal confessions about her life.
Admission
The act of acknowledging or conceding a fact.
His admission that he was wrong helped resolve the argument.
Confession
A formal declaration of sins to a priest.
She went to the church for confession.
Admission
A declaration or acknowledgment.
She made an admission about never having read the book.
Confession
A confession is a statement – made by a person or by a group of persons – acknowledging some personal fact that the person (or the group) would ostensibly prefer to keep hidden. The term presumes that the speaker is providing information that he believes the other party is not already aware of, and is frequently associated with an admission of a moral or legal wrong: In one sense it is the acknowledgment of having done something wrong, whether on purpose or not.
Admission
A statement that confirms or reveals a particular fact.
The witness's admission became crucial evidence in the case.
Confession
The act or process of confessing, as in telling one's life story as a series of failings or tribulations.
Admission
The act of admitting or allowing to enter
The admission of new students occurs in the spring.
Confession
Something confessed, especially a disclosure of one's sins to a priest for absolution.
Admission
The right to enter or be accepted
The ticket grants admission to the show.
Confession
Confession In some Christian churches, the sacrament of Penance.
Admission
The price required or paid for entering; an entrance fee.
Confession
A statement made acknowledging guilt of an offense.
Admission
The people admitted, as to an institution
Hospital admissions rose last month.
Confession
An avowal of belief in the doctrines of a particular faith; a creed.
Admission
A disclosure or confession, as of having made a mistake or done something wrong.
Confession
A church or group of worshipers adhering to a specific creed.
Admission
A voluntary acknowledgment of a fact or truth; a concession
By his own admission the project was underfunded.
Confession
The open admittance of having done something (especially something bad).
Without the real murderer's confession, an innocent person will go to jail.
Admission
(Law) A statement against one's personal interests that can be used as evidence in a law case.
Confession
A formal document providing such an admission.
He forced me to sign a confession!
Admission
The act or practice of admitting.
Confession
(Christianity) The disclosure of one's sins to a priest for absolution. In the Roman Catholic Church, it is now also termed the sacrament of reconciliation.
I went to confession and now I feel much better about what I had done.
Admission
Permission to enter, or the entrance itself; admittance; entrance; access
I request admission for two adults
Confession
Acknowledgment of belief; profession of one's faith.
Admission
The granting of an argument or position not fully proved; the act of acknowledging something asserted; acknowledgement; concession.
Confession
A formula in which the articles of faith are comprised; a creed to be assented to or signed, as a preliminary to admission to membership of a church; a confession of faith.
Admission
(legal) Acquiescence or concurrence in a statement made by another, and distinguishable from a confession in that an admission presupposes prior inquiry by another, but a confession may be made without such inquiry.
Confession
Acknowledgment; avowal, especially in a matter pertaining to one's self; the admission of a debt, obligation, or crime.
With a crafty madness keeps aloof,When we would bring him on to some confessionOf his true state.
Admission
A fact, point, or statement admitted; as, admission made out of court are received in evidence
Confession
Acknowledgment of belief; profession of one's faith.
With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Admission
Declaration of the bishop that he approves of the presentee as a fit person to serve the cure of the church to which he is presented.
Confession
The act of disclosing sins or faults to a priest in order to obtain sacramental absolution.
Auricular confession . . . or the private and special confession of sins to a priest for the purpose of obtaining his absolution.
Admission
The cost or fee associated with attendance or entry.
Confession
A formulary in which the articles of faith are comprised; a creed to be assented to or signed, as a preliminary to admission to membership of a church; a confession of faith.
Admission
The act or practice of admitting.
Confession
An admission by a party to whom an act is imputed, in relation to such act. A judicial confession settles the issue to which it applies; an extrajudical confession may be explained or rebutted.
Admission
Power or permission to enter; admittance; entrance; access; power to approach.
What numbers groan for sad admission there!
Confession
An admission of misdeeds or faults
Admission
The granting of an argument or position not fully proved; the act of acknowledging something serted; acknowledgment; concession.
The too easy admission of doctrines.
Confession
A written document acknowledging an offense and signed by the guilty party
Admission
Acquiescence or concurrence in a statement made by another, and distinguishable from a confession in that an admission presupposes prior inquiry by another, but a confession may be made without such inquiry.
Confession
(Roman Catholic Church) the act of a penitent disclosing his sinfulness before a priest in the sacrament of penance in the hope of absolution
Admission
A fact, point, or statement admitted; as, admission made out of court are received in evidence.
Confession
A public declaration of your faith
Admission
Declaration of the bishop that he approves of the presentee as a fit person to serve the cure of the church to which he is presented.
Confession
A document that spells out the belief system of a given church (especially the Reformation churches of the 16th century)
Admission
The act of admitting someone to enter;
The surgery was performed on his second admission to the clinic
Confession
An acknowledgment revealing one's flaws or mistakes.
The confession came after years of holding back the truth.
Admission
An acknowledgment of the truth of something
Confession
A statement in legal settings admitting guilt.
The confession was used as evidence in court.
Admission
The fee charged for admission
Confession
An admission of a fault or mistake.
He made a tearful confession about lying to his parents.
Admission
A formal acceptance into an institution or group.
His admission into the university was a proud moment.
Confession
A written or spoken statement acknowledging guilt for a crime.
The detective obtained a confession from the suspect.
Admission
Permission to enter a place or to join an institution.
The admission fee for the museum is $10.
Admission
Acceptance into an organization or group.
His admission to the elite club was a significant achievement.
Common Curiosities
Is Confession always related to guilt?
Generally, yes. Confession usually involves admitting guilt or exposing a personal truth.
Is Admission always neutral?
Not necessarily; admission can carry various emotional weights depending on the context.
Can Admission appear in educational contexts?
Yes, admission can refer to being accepted into an educational institution.
Is Confession religious?
It can be, especially in Christianity where confession is a sacrament.
What does Confession mean?
Confession is the voluntary disclosure of guilt, wrongdoing, or a personal truth, often carrying emotional or moral weight.
Can Admission also be about guilt?
Yes, admission can be an acknowledgment of guilt but isn't limited to that.
Can Confession be used in legal contexts?
Yes, a confession is often an admission of guilt used as evidence.
Can you 'admit' without an Admission?
Yes, to admit is the act, and admission is the noun form or result of that act.
What does Admission mean?
Admission can be the acknowledgment of a fact, granting entry, or acceptance into a group or institution.
Is a confession always about guilt?
Generally, a confession implies acknowledgment of wrongdoing or fault.
Is Admission always voluntary?
Generally, but it can be coerced in certain contexts, like legal admissions.
Is Confession synonymous with apology?
No, while a confession can be part of an apology, they aren't synonymous.
Can a confession be retracted?
Yes, a person can retract a confession, especially if they believe it was given under duress.
In what context is confession used in religion?
In some religions, confession is a practice where believers admit sins to a priest or religious authority.
What is the past tense of Admission?
Admission is a noun; the verb form 'admit' has the past tense 'admitted.'
Can Confession be written?
Yes, confession can be both verbal and written.
Is a confession legally binding?
A confession can be used as evidence, but its validity might be contested based on how it was obtained.
Can a confession be made to anyone?
While confessions can be made to anyone, legal or religious implications might vary based on the listener.
Can Admission be formal or informal?
Yes, admission can occur in both formal and informal contexts.
Are admissions always truthful?
Ideally, yes, but like any statement, admissions can be false or misleading.
Is every Admission a Confession?
No, admission is a broader term that can include but is not limited to confession.
Can an admission be positive?
Yes, an admission can be a neutral acknowledgment or even a positive revelation.
Can admissions be used in court?
Yes, admissions, especially regarding facts, can be used as evidence in court.
Can an admission fee be refunded?
Refund policies for admission fees vary by institution or event.
Does admission always imply acceptance?
Not necessarily. An admission can simply be an acknowledgment without acceptance.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
