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
The New York Times then published confidential internal memos concerning the justices’ 5-4 decision to halt President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan in 2016.
—
Michael W. McConnell, Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Van Dyke, who is stationed at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, North Carolina, was charged Thursday with the unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
—Gary D. Robertson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The University of Kansas Hospital Authority settled shortly before the trial, and District Court Judge Courtney Mikesic approved the confidential settlement on April 13, dismissing KU Med as a defendant.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
He has been charged in New York federal court with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confidential
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Michael W. McConnell, Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Van Dyke, who is stationed at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, North Carolina, was charged Thursday with the unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
—Gary D. Robertson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The University of Kansas Hospital Authority settled shortly before the trial, and District Court Judge Courtney Mikesic approved the confidential settlement on April 13, dismissing KU Med as a defendant.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
He has been charged in New York federal court with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confidential
Cite this Entry
“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidential. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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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