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
All calls are toll-free and confidential.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
If the prize is more than $600 but less than $100,000, the winner's name will remain confidential for 90 days but can be released under Arizona's public disclosures laws after that time period, the lottery said.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Congress required the railroads to keep bridge inspection reports confidential because of concerns that a terrorist could use them to pinpoint vulnerable bridges.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The New York Times filed its letter July 30, urging the judge overseeing the estate to unseal the reports, saying they were designated as confidential without any justification for the sealing.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidential
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Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
If the prize is more than $600 but less than $100,000, the winner's name will remain confidential for 90 days but can be released under Arizona's public disclosures laws after that time period, the lottery said.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Congress required the railroads to keep bridge inspection reports confidential because of concerns that a terrorist could use them to pinpoint vulnerable bridges.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The New York Times filed its letter July 30, urging the judge overseeing the estate to unseal the reports, saying they were designated as confidential without any justification for the sealing.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 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 Sep. 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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