under seal
Officially kept secret
Under seal describes documents or legal proceedings that are kept confidential by court order, restricted from public access.
Court records may be placed under seal to protect privacy, trade secrets, or ongoing investigations.
A settlement reached under seal means its terms cannot be disclosed.
In older legal usage, under seal also meant authenticated with an official wax or embossed seal.
Mark-making device
- notarizeOfficially certify documents
- authenticateConfirm as genuine
- certifyFormally verify as true
- validateConfirm as true
emboss · signet · official · witnessed · signed · executed · attestation · acknowledgment
Meant to stay secret
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- court orderBinding judicial directive
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
- protective orderCourt mandate forbidding contact
subpoena · affidavit · testimony · pleadings · docket · litigation · redacted · nondisclosure
Quality of protecting secrets
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- undisclosedNot made known
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- privateRestricted to certain parties
hidden · unrevealed · classified · nonpublic · embargo · suppressed · withheld · restricted
Impervious to atmosphere
- watertightPrevents liquid from passing
- hermeticImpenetrably closed off
- tamper-proofResistant to unauthorized modification
- shrink-wrappedPackaged in tight plastic
bonded · intact · unopened · secured · fastened · enclosed · containment · pressurized
stamp
Mark-making device
- notarizeOfficially certify documents
- authenticateConfirm as genuine
- certifyFormally verify as true
validate · emboss · signet · official · witnessed · signed · executed · attestation · acknowledgment · apostille
confidential
Meant to stay secret
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- court orderBinding judicial directive
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
protective order · subpoena · affidavit · testimony · pleadings · docket · litigation · redacted · nondisclosure · gag order
confidentiality
Quality of protecting secrets
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- undisclosedNot made known
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
private · hidden · unrevealed · classified · nonpublic · embargo · suppressed · withheld · restricted · privileged
airtight
Impervious to atmosphere
- watertightPrevents liquid from passing
- hermeticImpenetrably closed off
- tamper-proofResistant to unauthorized modification
shrink-wrapped · bonded · intact · unopened · secured · fastened · enclosed · containment · pressurized · capped
under sealpublic record
Officially accessible government information
open to the public · unsealed · public · open · accessible
under sealunsealed
Not closed off
open court · on the record · disclosed · released · declassified
under, seal, underside, underneath, underscore, undergo, underground, underling, underlying