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 Part of what’s giving her the strength to take on the intense fitness challenge is her top secret role in the forthcoming Superman sequel, which is set to soar into cinemas on July 9, 2027. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026 Is there a category that is above top secret that even those in the highest echelons don’t know about it? — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • In April, a US Army soldier was arrested and charged with using confidential information to make $410,000 in Polymarket bets on the timing of the military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Keeping the information confidential was consistent with state protocol, a spokesperson in his department said, adding that it was still shared with local health officials.
    — Nat Lash, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • Hemsworth’s work has always spanned genres—just look at his omnivorous DJ sets—but Numbskull positions him as a more traditional songwriter, underscored by the album’s personal, earnest tone.
    — Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The magnitude of the devastation is made personal for all of us.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • The recurring shape adds another detail for researchers examining reports of unexplained objects near restricted locations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The money was moved into a restricted account in Qatar intended to ensure that Iran could only spend the funds on humanitarian goods.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of restricted
Adjective
  • The memo stresses that troops are forbidden from using both classified and unclassified but nonpublic information to make trades on platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The new Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea series follows brilliant ocean scientist Lee Crane (Ridley), who is pulled into a classified government program after a catastrophic Arctic expedition claims the life of her twin sister.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of classified
Adjective
  • In August, Spencer Spirit agreed to buy Hot Topic, BoxLunch and Her Universe from Sycamore Partners, which took Hot Topic private in 2013 for about $600 million.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The board will also calculate the amount of wealth subject to the tax using publicly available stock information and private assessments of personal property, such as artwork and jewelry.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • Allow a chess player who’s a nerd to find some references in Wu… Iron Man was kind of esoteric.
    — John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • There’s as much effort gone into the food as there is the drinks menu, and the esoteric array of tropical flavors straddles both impressively.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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