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
If the owner decides to fire the attorney for having met their ethical obligation to raise such concerns, the attorney is equally bound to keep the reasons for their termination confidential (except in certain exceptional circumstances).
—
Chris Deubert, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Jones then shared confidential information relating to Wayfarer and Baldoni with Leslie Sloane, Lively’s publicist, the lawsuit says.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Federal prosecutors in California charged Buma Tuesday with one count of disclosure of confidential information.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Trombetta — whose position afforded him access to confidential data, criminal investigative information and trade secrets — resigned from the gaming commission in December 2024 and went to lobby for FanDuel later that month as their director of government relations.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidential
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Chris Deubert, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Jones then shared confidential information relating to Wayfarer and Baldoni with Leslie Sloane, Lively’s publicist, the lawsuit says.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Federal prosecutors in California charged Buma Tuesday with one count of disclosure of confidential information.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Trombetta — whose position afforded him access to confidential data, criminal investigative information and trade secrets — resigned from the gaming commission in December 2024 and went to lobby for FanDuel later that month as their director of government relations.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 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 27 Mar. 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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