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
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
Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Saturday.
—
Stephanie Liechtenstein, Christian Science Monitor, 31 May 2025
However, the university, according to the lawsuit, stated in its response that many additional records had been withheld due to their relation to legal actions, confidential information or privileged communications with lawyers.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
The Justice Department and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser are suing the company and several large landlords for allegedly establishing a cartel-like system to drive up rent prices by sharing confidential information.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Those efforts wreaked havoc on federal workers and prompted a litany of lawsuits seeking to rein in Musk’s chainsaw, many of them questioning the legality of DOGE's sweeping access to confidential data and the dismantling of agencies.
—Nik Popli, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidential
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Stephanie Liechtenstein, Christian Science Monitor, 31 May 2025
However, the university, according to the lawsuit, stated in its response that many additional records had been withheld due to their relation to legal actions, confidential information or privileged communications with lawyers.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
The Justice Department and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser are suing the company and several large landlords for allegedly establishing a cartel-like system to drive up rent prices by sharing confidential information.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Those efforts wreaked havoc on federal workers and prompted a litany of lawsuits seeking to rein in Musk’s chainsaw, many of them questioning the legality of DOGE's sweeping access to confidential data and the dismantling of agencies.
—Nik Popli, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidential
Cite this Entry
“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidential. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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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