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
After obtaining data, the group demanded that the victims pay hefty ransoms or see their confidential data published or sold.
—
Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025
Finigan ruled that witness identities may be redacted to remain confidential, consistent with redactions in Cordell’s public report.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
While many details of the settlement this summer with the Bob Iger-run media giant were confidential, one clear win for Carano was a form of reinstatement.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
The deal is expected to close in the next 30 to 45 days, according to the sources, who asked not to be named because the details of the negotiations are confidential.
—Evelyn Cheng,anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidential
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Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025
Finigan ruled that witness identities may be redacted to remain confidential, consistent with redactions in Cordell’s public report.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
While many details of the settlement this summer with the Bob Iger-run media giant were confidential, one clear win for Carano was a form of reinstatement.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
The deal is expected to close in the next 30 to 45 days, according to the sources, who asked not to be named because the details of the negotiations are confidential.
—Evelyn Cheng,anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 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 21 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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