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 House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday held a mark-up session to discuss documents protected under IRS code 6103 — a portion of the tax code that keeps certain information confidential.
—
Fox News Staff, Fox News, 22 May 2024
In one instance in 2019, according to Lewis’ indictment, a Mirati Therapeutics board member, who also worked at Lewis’ hedge fund, told the billionaire about confidential, positive clinical trial results that the company planned to announce publicly.
—Ava Benny-Morrison, Fortune Europe, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for confidential 
Fox News Staff, Fox News, 22 May 2024
In one instance in 2019, according to Lewis’ indictment, a Mirati Therapeutics board member, who also worked at Lewis’ hedge fund, told the billionaire about confidential, positive clinical trial results that the company planned to announce publicly.
—Ava Benny-Morrison, Fortune Europe, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for confidential
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confidential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near confidential
Cite this Entry
“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidential. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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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