confidential
adjective
con·fi·den·tial
ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl 
1
b
: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest compare secret, top secret
2
: marked by intimacy or willingness to confide
a confidential tone
3
: entrusted with confidences (see confidence sense 4)
a confidential clerk
Synonyms
Examples of confidential in a Sentence
These documents are completely confidential.
“I have something to tell you,” John said in a confidential tone.
Her voice was quiet and confidential.
She worked as a confidential secretary to the mayor for many years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Public Wi-Fi networks are convenient and plentiful but often insecure and risky if sending or receiving confidential business information or personal financial details.
—
Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Whether Donald Trump is defiling the most sacred section of Arlington National Cemetery, committing felonies, attempting to overthrow the government or stealing confidential documents, the message is clear: Rules shouldn’t apply to Trump.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
But the list is confidential, so the AP created its own list by compiling public records of FDA inspections before COVID-19 and tracking which firms haven’t received a follow-up.
—Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2024
Those witnesses were also instructed to discuss the confidential information generally without disclosing specifics on the screens before them.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for confidential 
Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Whether Donald Trump is defiling the most sacred section of Arlington National Cemetery, committing felonies, attempting to overthrow the government or stealing confidential documents, the message is clear: Rules shouldn’t apply to Trump.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
But the list is confidential, so the AP created its own list by compiling public records of FDA inspections before COVID-19 and tracking which firms haven’t received a follow-up.
—Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2024
Those witnesses were also instructed to discuss the confidential information generally without disclosing specifics on the screens before them.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for confidential
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confidential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near confidential
Cite this Entry
“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidential. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
confidential
adjective
con·fi·den·tial
ˌkän-fə-ˈden-chəl
1
: secret entry 1 sense 1a, private
confidential information
2
: indicating or suggesting closeness : intimate
a confidential tone of voice
3
: trusted with secret matters
a confidential secretary
Legal Definition
confidential
adjective
con·fi·den·tial
ˌkän-fi-ˈden-chəl
1
: known or conveyed only to a limited number of people
a confidential disclosure
2
: marked by or indicative of intimacy, mutual trust, or willingness to confide especially between parties one of whom is in a position of superiority
the confidential relationship of doctor and patient
3
: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest
confidentially
adverb
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