confidential

adjective

ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce confidential (audio)
Definition of confidentialnext
as in private
not known or meant to be known by the general populace someone leaked confidential government information to the press

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of confidential Insider trading has been a major issue for prediction markets, with multiple cases emerging of insiders using confidential information for personal profit. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Those are required under federal law to be confidential, and for good reason. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 Cumming said the lawsuit sought to prevent the city from interfering with OIG investigations and access to confidential systems. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Bonta’s beef was that the substance of the nascent negotiations appeared in newspaper articles despite both sides agreeing to hold confidential talks, Bonta said, adding that crossed the line. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confidential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confidential
  1. private
  2. secret
  3. classified
  4. personal
  5. undisclosed
  6. esoteric
  7. intimate
Adjective
  • Khan’s lawyers and family have also accused the government of defying a court order that required him to be examined at the private Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • On almost 4 acres, the lot includes a private dock and mooring.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • Back at school, Thom hangs out on the bleachers for a secret meeting with the creepy home invader from Robert’s party.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Parton has several posthumous projects to look forward to, one of which is a secret song.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of secret
Adjective
  • The classified assessment of the Kremlin’s thinking preceded CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s secret trip to Moscow this week.
    — Warren P. Strobel, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Check with your school’s financial aid office to confirm how your program is currently classified.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of classified
Adjective
  • Instead, detectives say the group used falsified invoices and documents and transferred cash into personal bank accounts.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • For an undergraduate student living off campus, Detroit Mercy estimates $3,220 for transportation and $10,830 for personal and miscellaneous expenses.
    — Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • Hebert missed nearly half of camp with an undisclosed personal issue, which may have opened the door for Grubbs and Jarrard to beat him out.
    — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Then during Thursday’s joint practice against the New York Giants, Tyrel Dodson, last year’s starting inside linebacker, seemingly sustained an undisclosed injury before Miami and the Giants began their 11-on-11 work.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of undisclosed
Adjective
  • Baseball is a sport that thrives on statistics, no matter how esoteric, but there appears to be no record of a professional baseball player previously wearing a mechanical watch during a game.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The rereleased games are fascinatingly esoteric, too, including the GBC versions of Croc, Croc 2, Earthworm Jim, and the Japan-only GB shmup, Chikyu Kaiho Gun Zas.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of esoteric
Adjective
  • Perhaps the band’s greatest strength is being able to project an intimate familiarity with the present, while drawing freely from the ’60s and ’70s.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • From intimate moments to full-on sing-alongs, the night showcased talented women who transmute feelings into art and reminded everyone why Ella Mai’s music continues to resonate.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimate

Browse Nearby Words

confident
confidential
confidentiality
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Cite this Entry

“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confidential. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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