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
In the subsequent months, her attorneys worked out an arrangement for Schrader to pay a confidential sum to resolve her allegations.
—
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025
In confidential interviews, students voiced deep frustration that their academic experience is being eclipsed by ideological imperatives, with many lamenting the intrusion of political conformity into spaces meant for intellectual and professional growth.
—Kevin Waldman, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Exemption from state public records laws, ensuring that sensitive information shared with government entities remains confidential (6 U.S.C. § 1503(d)(4)(B)).
—Israel Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
During a drug deal monitored by authorities in February, Tremaine Knight met with the confidential informant in Massachusetts and offered $10,000 to them in exchange for killing the man, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidential
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Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025
In confidential interviews, students voiced deep frustration that their academic experience is being eclipsed by ideological imperatives, with many lamenting the intrusion of political conformity into spaces meant for intellectual and professional growth.
—Kevin Waldman, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Exemption from state public records laws, ensuring that sensitive information shared with government entities remains confidential (6 U.S.C. § 1503(d)(4)(B)).
—Israel Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
During a drug deal monitored by authorities in February, Tremaine Knight met with the confidential informant in Massachusetts and offered $10,000 to them in exchange for killing the man, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 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 14 Apr. 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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