top secret

adjective

Definition of top secretnext
as in confidential
kept completely hidden from the public by high government officials top secret documents The mission is top secret.

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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 top secret Most of the information in question was classified as top secret, according to the indictment. — Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Hugo is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes to arrange for Daniel’s theft of the top secret materials. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026 The indictment claims that the entries included sensitive information up to the top secret and sensitive compartmented information level, a designation that means it was derived from sensitive intelligence sources. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 4 June 2026 Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks kept Mickey Mouse top secret after a studio fallout had recently left Disney without the rights to his earlier creations. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for top secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for top secret
  1. confidential
  2. restricted
  3. personal
  4. classified
  5. private
  6. esoteric
Adjective
  • The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) provides free, confidential 24/7 support via phone, text, and chat in English and Spanish.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The sequel introduced the Book of Secrets, a classified collection of confidential information passed between presidents.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • Their restricted status turned many into dissenters and activists, often tailed by the KGB and getting their phone lines cut in an effort to keep their stories quiet.
    — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • He was then placed on the restricted list and seemingly had no contact with the team until Thursday.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of restricted
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

tops
top secret
top-shelf
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Cite this Entry

“Top secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/top%20secret. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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