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
Synonyms
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
The deputy, who has since been relieved of duty, also admitted to lying on a search warrant, writing a fake search warrant and using confidential law enforcement databases to find information about the crypto mogul’s foes.
—
Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
In a confidential advisory opinion dated May 15, 2019, the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board had told the then-mayor that taxpayers could cover salaries and overtime of officers, but not food, lodging and other costs.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
CCleaner removes tracking files, cookies, and browsing data to keep your online activities confidential.
—Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
The pretext for the prosecution was that Dr. Haim violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is designed to safeguard from public disclosure the identities and confidential medical information of patients.
—The Editors, National Review, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for confidential 
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Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
In a confidential advisory opinion dated May 15, 2019, the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board had told the then-mayor that taxpayers could cover salaries and overtime of officers, but not food, lodging and other costs.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
CCleaner removes tracking files, cookies, and browsing data to keep your online activities confidential.
—Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
The pretext for the prosecution was that Dr. Haim violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is designed to safeguard from public disclosure the identities and confidential medical information of patients.
—The Editors, National Review, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for confidential
Dictionary Entries Near confidential
Cite this Entry
“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidential. Accessed 26 Jan. 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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