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Confess vs Attest - What's the difference?

confess | attest | Synonyms |

Confess is a synonym of attest.


As verbs the difference between confess and attest

is that confess is (senseid) to admit to the truth, particularly in the context of sins or crimes committed while attest is to affirm to be correct, true, or genuine.

confess

English

Verb

(es)
  • (senseid) To admit to the truth, particularly in the context of sins or crimes committed.
  • People confess to anything under torture.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I never gave it him. Send for him hither, / And let him confess a truth.
  • * Milton
  • And there confess / Humbly our faults, and pardon beg.
  • * Addison
  • I must confess I was most pleased with a beautiful prospect that none of them have mentioned.
  • To acknowledge faith in; to profess belief in.
  • * Bible, Matthew x. 32
  • Whosoever, therefore, shall confess' me before men, him will I ' confess , also, before my Father which is in heaven.
  • * Bible, Acts xxiii. 8
  • For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
  • (religion) To unburden (oneself) of sins to a priest, in order to receive absolution.
  • * Addison
  • Our beautiful votary took an opportunity of confessing herself to this celebrated father.
  • (religion) To hear or receive such a confession of sins from.
  • * Ld. Berners
  • He heard mass, and the prince, his son, with him, and the most part of his company were confessed .
  • (senseid) To disclose or reveal.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Tall thriving trees confessed the fruitful mould.

    Derived terms

    * (l), (l)

    See also

    * own up * come clean

    attest

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To affirm to be correct, true, or genuine.
  • When will the appraiser attest the date of the painting?
  • * Addison
  • facts attested by particular pagan authors
  • * 1599 — Shakespeare, iii 1'' (Act ii in ''First Folio edition)
  • Dishonour not your Mothers: now attest that those whom you call'd Fathers, did beget you.
  • To certify by signature or oath
  • You must attest your will in order for it to be valid.
  • To certify in an official capacity.
  • To supply or be evidence of
  • Her fine work attested her ability.
  • *
  • The supplementary bibliography (in Vol. VI) attests to the comprehensiveness of the effort.
  • * 1599 — Shakespeare, Prologue'' (''First Folio edition)
  • O pardon : since a crooked Figure may / Attest in little place a Million, / And let us, Cyphers to this great Accompt, / On your imaginarie Forces worke.
  • To put under oath.
  • To call to witness; to invoke.
  • * Dryden
  • The sacred streams which Heaven's imperial state / Attests in oaths, and fears to violate.

    Derived terms

    * attestation * attested * attestment

    See also

    * cite * quote