CONFIDENTIAL Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

confidential

adjective

ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl

Definition of confidential

as in private

not known or meant to be known by the general populace someone leaked confidential government information to the press

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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 The price tag is much larger than what has been previously reported, according to a Post review of confidential contracts, and taxpayers would cover most of it. — Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026 Sources reportedly told The Times that Nick had been placed in a confidential conservatorship in 2020. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026 The terms of the settlements are confidential, and her attorneys declined to comment about the case. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 Anyone carrying confidential business records or other highly sensitive material should consider speaking with a qualified attorney before international travel. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confidential

Recent Examples of Synonyms for confidential

Adjective

Lenti Ponsetto, after 18 years leading DePaul athletics—and 42 years overall at the private Big East school—announced her retirement in June 2020, just six weeks after Conviser filed her initial suit in Cook County court.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026
The movie, which premieres this weekend on YouTube, is a DIY schlock- umentary that’s also a real documentary, one that captures how Six’s life became his own private horror film, after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of private

Adjective

The backstory Previously known as Little Munson Island, the island was once a secret retreat frequented by the likes of President Harry Truman.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
The idea that casual audiences on TV — people who weren’t gamers willing to grind to 100 percent completion to unlock an esoteric, secret two-minute cutscene ending — was almost unthinkable.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of secret

Adjective

Then this summer, the Pentagon took another step and declared its press office a classified space — instituting a policy that journalists must be accompanied by an escort on Pentagon grounds.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
The past year has seen the first prosecutions of soldiers and military figures using classified knowledge to make money on these prediction markets.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of classified

Adjective

Cellphones – the kind used to actually talk to people rather than text and post to social media – weren’t mandatory personal equipment yet, though various personalities involved at the time had them.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
The complaint claims the companies' products have been improperly collecting, sharing and selling personal data, like cellphone and vehicle location data.

— Dennis Valera, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of personal

Adjective

Head coach Joe Brady gave a favorable update on fourth-round rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell, who has missed the last week of practice due to an undisclosed injury.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
While the land will open next year, including the new stage show, two restaurants and a retail shop, the coaster will open at an undisclosed later date.

— Mackenzie Schmidt, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of undisclosed

Adjective

Lynch and co-creator Mark Frost opened an esoteric window to prime-time viewers with the concept of the Black Lodge.

— Amanda Karkoutly, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
My longtime podcast obsession is Omnibus, where Ken Jennings and John Roderick try to talk about an esoteric topic but mostly stray and ramble in the best way possible.

— David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of esoteric

Adjective

Their rare artistic bond offers an intimate perspective on defining events of 20th-century Europe and Czechoslovakia, creating a hybrid documentary with broad cultural, historical and emotional appeal.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
The new owners wanted to preserve the intimate atmosphere of the bedrooms and, conversely, incorporate the kitchen into the home’s living and dining area.

— Belén Afonso, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimate

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confident

confidential

confidentiality

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“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confidential. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of confidential

adjective

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