noun
confessor
Someone who openly acknowledges a fault or professes a belief.
The confessor admits to the theft and offers to repay everyone.
Etymology
The Latin verb means to acknowledge or profess. A confessor is the person making that declaration, whether acknowledging a fault or openly affirming a belief.
More examples
- Investigators check each confessor’s account against the evidence.
- She remains an outspoken confessor of her faith despite public criticism.
- Christians honor him as a confessor who survived persecution for his faith.
Forms
confessor · confessors
confess verb — To acknowledge wrongdoing or openly declare belief.
confession noun — An admission of wrongdoing or declaration of belief.
Similar words
- penitent
- Emphasizes regret for wrongdoing, not merely admitting it.
- believer
- Holds a belief but need not declare it openly.