Confession vs. Admission: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 6, 2023
"Confession" is a disclosure of one's own guilt or wrongdoing, while "Admission" is a general acknowledgment or acceptance of a fact or situation.
Key Differences
"Confession" and "Admission" both relate to revealing information or acknowledging something. However, the contexts in which they're used can be distinct. "Confession" commonly refers to acknowledging one's own guilt or mistakes, often in a remorseful manner. In contrast, "Admission" can be a broader acknowledgment of any fact or truth, not necessarily tied to guilt.
A person might make a "Confession" in religious, legal, or personal contexts, often revealing something they previously concealed due to guilt or fear. "Admission," on the other hand, might occur in academic, social, or other contexts and does not always carry the same weight of guilt or remorse.
Grammatically, both "Confession" and "Admission" function as nouns. However, their connotations differ significantly. While "Confession" implies vulnerability and acknowledgment of wrongdoing, "Admission" can be a more neutral acknowledgment of a truth, even if that truth is unrelated to any wrongdoing.
In certain contexts, "Confession" and "Admission" might overlap, especially when one admits to a wrongdoing. But it's crucial to understand that not all admissions are confessions. A person might make an admission about a preference or fact that has no moral or ethical implications.
Comparison Chart
Connotation
Often linked with guilt or remorse
Neutral or general acknowledgment
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Typical Contexts
Religious, legal, personal
Academic, social, legal
Grammatical Function
Primarily a noun
Primarily a noun
Associated Emotions
Remorse, vulnerability, regret
Neutral, acceptance, sometimes regret
Scope
Primarily about acknowledging one's wrongdoing
Can be about any truth, not just wrongdoings
Confession and Admission Definitions
Confession
A religious sacrament in which sins are disclosed.
He went to church for a confession before Easter.
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Admission
Acceptance into an organization or group.
His admission to the prestigious university was a proud moment.
Confession
A personal revelation shared intimately.
During their late-night chat, she made a heartfelt confession.
Admission
The act of allowing someone to enter.
Admission to the museum is free on Sundays.
Confession
A disclosure of one's mistakes or sins.
His confession brought relief to his conscience.
Admission
A statement acknowledging a fact or truth.
Her admission confirmed our suspicions.
Confession
An acknowledgment of a fact or feeling.
She made a confession about her deepest fears.
Admission
The act of admitting or allowing to enter
The admission of new students occurs in the spring.
Confession
The act or process of confessing, as in telling one's life story as a series of failings or tribulations.
Admission
The right to enter or be accepted
The ticket grants admission to the show.
Confession
Something confessed, especially a disclosure of one's sins to a priest for absolution.
Admission
The price required or paid for entering; an entrance fee.
Confession
Confession In some Christian churches, the sacrament of Penance.
Admission
The people admitted, as to an institution
Hospital admissions rose last month.
Confession
A statement made acknowledging guilt of an offense.
Admission
A disclosure or confession, as of having made a mistake or done something wrong.
Confession
An avowal of belief in the doctrines of a particular faith; a creed.
Admission
A voluntary acknowledgment of a fact or truth; a concession
By his own admission the project was underfunded.
Confession
A church or group of worshipers adhering to a specific creed.
Admission
(Law) A statement against one's personal interests that can be used as evidence in a law case.
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
The act or practice of admitting.
Confession
A formal document providing such an admission.
He forced me to sign a confession!
Admission
Permission to enter, or the entrance itself; admittance; entrance; access
I request admission for two adults
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
The granting of an argument or position not fully proved; the act of acknowledging something asserted; acknowledgement; concession.
Confession
Acknowledgment of belief; profession of one's 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
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
A fact, point, or statement admitted; as, admission made out of court are received in evidence
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
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
Acknowledgment of belief; profession of one's faith.
With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Admission
The cost or fee associated with attendance or entry.
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 act or practice of admitting.
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
Power or permission to enter; admittance; entrance; access; power to approach.
What numbers groan for sad admission there!
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
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
An admission of misdeeds or faults
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
A written document acknowledging an offense and signed by the guilty party
Admission
A fact, point, or statement admitted; as, admission made out of court are received in evidence.
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
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 public declaration of your faith
Admission
The act of admitting someone to enter;
The surgery was performed on his second admission to the clinic
Confession
A document that spells out the belief system of a given church (especially the Reformation churches of the 16th century)
Admission
An acknowledgment of the truth of something
Confession
A formal statement admitting guilt, especially in court.
The suspect made a full confession to the police.
Admission
The fee charged for admission
Admission
An acknowledgment of a mistake or fault.
His admission of guilt surprised everyone.
Admission
The price paid to enter or participate.
The admission for the concert was twenty dollars.
FAQs
Is "Confession" linked to religious practices?
It can be, as in the sacrament of confession in Christianity.
Are "Confession" and "Admission" interchangeable?
Not always, "Confession" implies guilt while "Admission" is a broader acknowledgment.
Is a "Confession" always about wrongdoing?
Often, but it can also be about revealing a personal truth.
Can "Admission" be about revealing a fact?
Yes, it can be an acknowledgment of any fact or truth.
Can "Admission" be related to entering a place?
Yes, it can refer to being allowed entry or the price of entry.
Is every "Confession" an "Admission"?
In a way, since both involve acknowledging something.
Can "Admission" relate to academic contexts?
Yes, as in being accepted to an institution.
What's the difference between a confession in court and an admission?
A confession in court admits guilt, while an admission might just acknowledge a fact.
Can an "Admission" be unrelated to guilt?
Yes, it can simply be an acknowledgment or granting entry.
How is "Confession" viewed in legal contexts?
It's seen as an acknowledgment of guilt.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
