1. priests who hear confessions and give absolution
Usage: religious
2. people who confess or admit to something, especially wrongdoing
3. early Christian saints who suffered for their faith but were not martyred
Usage: historical; religious

Examples

• The cathedral had several confessors available on Saturday afternoons.
• Medieval confessors often served as advisors to royalty.
• The confessors in the criminal case provided key testimony.
• Both confessors admitted their involvement in the scheme.
• Saint Martin of Tours was honored as one of the great confessors.
• The early church distinguished between martyrs and confessors.