proprietary

adjective

Definition of proprietarynext
as in exclusive
belonging to only one person, unit, or group and not used by or available to others The restaurant's proprietary recipe for barbecue sauce is only known to the head chef.

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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 proprietary This strategy is different from that of closed-model labs like OpenAI and Anthropic whose commercial position hinges on maintaining proprietary access to their most capable systems. — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 Some of that information might involve trade secrets and other proprietary materials. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for proprietary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proprietary
exclusive
Adjective
  • The story may have been embellished by early biographers, but records show that Brunelleschi eventually gained recognition as the exclusive inventor and director of the dome.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • In exclusive conversations with Vanity Fair, key creatives behind the film and recording of the soundtrack say that maybe—just maybe—there’s hope for the album’s release after all.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
Definition of exclusive

Browse Nearby Words

propping (up)
proprietary
proprieties
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Cite this Entry

“Proprietary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proprietary. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on proprietary

Nglish: Translation of proprietary for Spanish Speakers

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