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
State police also launched an internal probe into the lead homicide detective, Michael Proctor, who was fired for sharing confidential information with civilians outside of law enforcement and drinking on the job.
—
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
Instead of attempting to gain public trust through transparency, Musk’s company is currently pressing federal regulators to bury its robotaxi safety record, claiming the data must remain confidential for business reasons.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 20 July 2025
Under the 1994 Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, the DMV is also restricted from releasing confidential information about license holders, per the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 18 July 2025
Moreland's plan failed as Pedigo became a confidential informant for the FBI, adding to the federal government's case for obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidential
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Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
Instead of attempting to gain public trust through transparency, Musk’s company is currently pressing federal regulators to bury its robotaxi safety record, claiming the data must remain confidential for business reasons.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 20 July 2025
Under the 1994 Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, the DMV is also restricted from releasing confidential information about license holders, per the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 18 July 2025
Moreland's plan failed as Pedigo became a confidential informant for the FBI, adding to the federal government's case for obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 17 July 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 24 Jul. 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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