confessor
noun
con·fes·sor
| \ kən-ˈfe-sər
, senses 1 & 3 also ˈkän-ˌfe-sər, sense 3 also ˈkän-fə-ˌsȯr\
, senses 1 & 3 also ˈkän-ˌfe-sər, sense 3 also ˈkän-fə-ˌsȯr\
Definition of confessor
1
: one who gives heroic evidence of faith but does not suffer martyrdom
2
: one that confesses
3a
: a priest who hears confessions
b
: a priest who is one's regular spiritual guide
Examples of confessor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Critics raised constitutional concerns: given First Amendment guarantees of religious freedom, could the state force confessors to divulge information shared in confidence? — San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘I confess': should the ‘seal of the confessional’ protect pedophiles?," 4 Aug. 2019 Even if absolution is denied, though, the exchange between penitent and confessor is to remain confidential. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘I confess': should the ‘seal of the confessional’ protect pedophiles?," 4 Aug. 2019 Neither Cardinal DiNardo nor anyone at the ADGH (archdiocese) asked me any questions regarding the physical part of our relationship or Father Rossi’s role as my confessor, sometimes absolving me of the sin of adultery. — Washington Post, "Allegations against top priest under review after AP report," 8 June 2019 If, for example, the penitent confesses from behind a screen, how can the confessor know for certain who is confessing? — Rob Taylor And, WSJ, "New Laws Require Priests to Break the ‘Seal of Confession’," 3 Aug. 2018 Going public has turned Anderson into something of a confessor. — Nora Krug, chicagotribune.com, "Laurie Halse Anderson, author of 'Speak,' writing a memoir about surviving rape," 12 June 2018 These are just a few of the secrets written on postcards by anonymous confessors and currently on view at the San Diego Museum of Man. — Karla Peterson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "PostSecret exhibit turns Museum of Man into a confession booth," 9 July 2018 This is what the church does in its liturgical service and also in canonising those who are believed to be martyrs and confessors. — The Economist, "Transcript: Interview with Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev," 1 Feb. 2018 One of the more entrepreneurial is Bishop Tikhon Shevkunov, often described as Mr Putin’s confessor. — The Economist, "Orthodox businessVladimir Putin embraces the Russian church," 3 Feb. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confessor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for confessor
confessor
noun
English Language Learners Definition of confessor
: a priest who listens to a person's confession
See the full definition for confessor in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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