Confess vs. Profess: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 12, 2023
Confess means admitting a fault or truth, while profess implies declaring a belief or feeling.
Key Differences
Confess primarily centers on the admission of something, often a wrongdoing or a mistake. It carries with it a sense of revealing a secret or acknowledging a fault. On the other hand, profess leans more toward declaring or asserting something openly, often a belief, feeling, or expertise.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
While confess often has a heavier or more solemn connotation, especially in religious or legal contexts, profess can be neutral or even positive. A confession might relieve guilt, while a profession might emphasize a commitment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
In daily conversations, when someone uses the term confess, it's typically to admit something they've been hiding. In contrast, to profess love for someone is to openly declare or affirm that emotion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Both words indicate a form of revelation, but the nature and implications of what's revealed differ. Through confession, truths hidden in shadows come to light. When one professes, it's a proclamation of something they want others to know and understand.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 12, 2023
Confess can sometimes be involuntary, extracted under pressure or in response to an overwhelming emotion. Whereas profess is almost always a voluntary act, done with intent and full awareness.
Sara Rehman
Oct 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Associated Context
Religious, legal, personal secrets
Commitments, beliefs, professions
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
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Confess and Profess Definitions
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Profess
Make an outward display
He professed indifference, but I knew he cared.
Janet White
Oct 12, 2023
Profess
To affirm openly; declare or claim
"a physics major [who] professes to be a stickler when it comes to data" (Gina Maranto).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
To make a pretense of; pretend
"top officials who were deeply involved with the arms sales but later professed ignorance of them" (David Johnston).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To admit or acknowledge something damaging or inconvenient to oneself
The suspect confessed to the crime.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To admit to the truth, particularly in the context of sins or crimes committed.
I confess to spray-painting all over that mural!
I confess that I am a sinner.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
To administer the vows of a religious order to (someone); to admit to a religious order.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
(religion) To unburden (oneself) of sins to God or a priest, in order to receive absolution.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
(transitive) To make a claim (to be something); to lay claim to (a given quality, feeling etc.), often with connotations of insincerity.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To make acknowledgment or avowal in a matter pertaining to one's self; to acknowledge, own, or admit, as a crime, a fault, a debt.
And there confessHumbly our faults, and pardon beg.
I must confess I was most pleased with a beautiful prospect that none of them have mentioned.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
(transitive) To declare one's adherence to (a religion, deity, principle etc.).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To acknowledge faith in; to profess belief in.
Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess, also, before my Father which is in heaven.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To admit as true; to assent to; to acknowledge, as after a previous doubt, denial, or concealment.
I never gave it him. Send for him hither,And let him confess a truth.
As I confess it needs must be.
As an actor confessed without rival to shine.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
To claim to have knowledge or understanding of (a given area of interest, subject matter).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To make known or acknowledge, as one's sins to a priest, in order to receive absolution; - sometimes followed by the reflexive pronoun.
Our beautiful votary took an opportunity of confessing herself to this celebrated father.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge, belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or admit freely.
The best and wisest of them all professedTo know this only, that he nothing knew.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To hear or receive such confession; - said of a priest.
He . . . heard mass, and the prince, his son, with him, and the most part of his company were confessed.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put on or present an appearance of.
I do profess to be no less than I seem.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To disclose or reveal, as an effect discloses its cause; to prove; to attest.
Tall thriving trees confessed the fruitful mold.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one's self versed in; to make one's self a teacher or practitioner of, to set up as an authority respecting; to declare (one's self to be such); as, he professes surgery; to profess one's self a physician.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To make confession; to disclose sins or faults, or the state of the conscience.
Every tongue shall confess to God.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
To take a profession upon one's self by a public declaration; to confess.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
To acknowledge; to admit; to concede.
But since(And I confess with right) you think me bound.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
Confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
Practice as a profession, teach, or claim to be knowledgeable about;
She professes organic chemistry
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Confess
Admit, make a clean breast of;
She confessed that she had taken the money
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
Confess one's faith in, or allegiance to;
The terrorists professed allegiance to the Muslim faith
He professes to be a Communist
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
Admit, make a clean breast of;
She confessed that she had taken the money
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
State freely;
The teacher professed that he was not generous when it came to giving good grades
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
Profess
State insincerely;
He professed innocence but later admitted his guilt
She pretended not to have known the suicide bomber
She pretends to be an expert on wine
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 27, 2022
FAQs
Can profess be about teaching?
Yes, "profess" can mean to teach a subject as a professor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Is a confession always true?
Not necessarily. People might confess under pressure, even if it's not true.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Is confessing always voluntary?
No, sometimes it can be extracted under pressure.
Harlon Moss
Oct 12, 2023
Can profess be used in legal contexts?
Yes, though it's less common than confess. One might profess innocence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Can one confess positive feelings?
Yes, e.g., "I confess I've always admired you."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Can someone profess something they don't believe in?
Yes, someone might profess beliefs or feelings they don't genuinely hold.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 12, 2023
What's a positive way to use profess?
One can profess love, admiration, or commitment.
Sara Rehman
Oct 12, 2023
How is confess used in court?
It's used to indicate admission of guilt or facts.
Harlon Moss
Oct 12, 2023
Is confess always about admitting guilt?
No, confess can also mean acknowledging a fact or revealing a secret.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Are confessions always public?
No, they can be private, like confessing to a friend.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 12, 2023
Can one profess something privately?
Yes, though profess often implies open declaration, it can be done privately.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
In religion, what does confess mean?
It typically means admitting sins or faults, often to a religious figure.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Is a confession always spoken?
No, it can be written or conveyed non-verbally.
Harlon Moss
Oct 12, 2023
Are there cultural contexts for confess?
Yes, confession practices and implications can vary by culture and religion.
Janet White
Oct 12, 2023
Is professing always serious?
Not always. One can profess in casual contexts, like professing a liking for a song.
Janet White
Oct 12, 2023
Can one profess expertise?
Yes, one can profess expertise in a subject or field.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 12, 2023
Can profess refer to a future intention?
Yes, e.g., "I profess to support this cause in the future."
Janet White
Oct 12, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
