top secret

adjective

Definition of top secretnext
as in confidential
kept completely hidden from the public by high government officials top secret documents The mission is top secret.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of top secret The planning and details of the meeting were supposed to be kept top secret because of its highly sensitive nature. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding was so top secret that even one of their celebrity guests, Pat McAfee, initially thought his digital invitation was a scam. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 15 July 2026 Most of the information in question was classified as top secret, according to the indictment. — Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Hugo is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes to arrange for Daniel’s theft of the top secret materials. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for top secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for top secret
  1. confidential
  2. personal
  3. restricted
  4. classified
  5. private
  6. esoteric
Adjective
  • Confidential sources Rahmer acknowledged in his testimony that there are limits to knowing who is a confidential informant or working for agencies outside the FBI.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • His case was also shared with the local district attorney, who has the authority to prosecute misuse of confidential governmental data, but the district attorney declined to pursue criminal charges, the audit said.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • The lawsuits, in his eyes, are simply cases of personal misfortune and landlord greed.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Meta has pressed ahead with its own personal AI agent, launching its Muse agent in early September, modeled on the open-source AI agent OpenClaw.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • Matas Buzelis showed improved urgency and efficiency in putting his head down to get to the rim, scoring 10 of his 14 points inside the restricted area.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The airline does not allow travelers with pets to sit in exit rows, bulkhead seats, or other seats with restricted underseat storage.
    — Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of restricted
Adjective
  • Many of the documents contained classified information for executive intelligence briefings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The release also included records tracing the origins of the classified investigation into the documents and investigators’ preparations for a possible search and trial.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of classified
Adjective
  • The dining room has 28 seats, a private event space holds 10, and the menu proposes just three Milanese and Lombardian dishes for each of the antipasti, primi, and secondi courses (four for dessert).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Mercury in your 4th House quincunxes Saturn in your 9th, creating a mismatch between private realities and bigger plans involving travel, education, beliefs, or the future.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • But then Mehmet is let go from his job teaching esoteric music practices to university students and the household’s sole steady source of income is gone.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Some say the public backlash to AI, and OpenAI, is partly because messaging from the leading labs can be esoteric, rather than grounded in the day-to-day benefits of AI, and in some cases, downright frightening.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of esoteric

Browse Nearby Words

tops
top secret
top-shelf
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Cite this Entry

“Top secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/top%20secret. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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