under seal

USAGE SUMMARY

"under seal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is sealed, either figuratively or literally, and surrounded by secrecy. For example: "The document was signed under seal, ensuring nobody would know its contents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's under seal".

The New York Times

Their identities remain under seal.

The Washington Post

"Everybody I've flipped is still under seal".

The New Yorker

For now, his testimony is under seal.

The Guardian

The suit was kept under seal.

The New York Times

The parties filed their memoranda and exhibits under seal.

Harvard University

All petitions under this subsection shall be filed under seal.

Cornell University

All petitions under this section shall be filed under seal.

Cornell University

Covenant came to mean a formal executory contract under seal.

Harvard University

The company said the lawsuit was filed under seal.

The New York Times

Mr. Goodstein's lawsuit, filed four years ago, is under seal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under seal" when referring to documents or information officially protected from public access by a court order or legal agreement. It suggests a formal, legally binding confidentiality.

Common error

Avoid using "under seal" loosely to describe any confidential information. This phrase specifically implies a legal or judicial directive ensuring secrecy, not just general confidentiality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under seal" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun to indicate that something is officially protected from public disclosure. Ludwig AI indicates it's generally regarded as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under seal" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, particularly in legal and journalistic contexts, to denote that information is legally protected from public disclosure. As Ludwig AI highlights, it signifies a formal confidentiality, often court-ordered. While alternatives like "confidential" or "restricted" exist, they don't fully capture the legal weight of "under seal". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a legally mandated confidentiality to avoid misrepresentation. The most frequent usage is in News and Academia contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sealed

Emphasizes the act of sealing, similar to "under seal" but more literal.

confidential

Focuses on the privacy aspect, omitting the legal binding.

classified

Highlights the secrecy due to security reasons.

subject to secrecy

Highlights the obligation of secrecy.

non-disclosure

Focuses on the agreement not to reveal information.

restricted

Indicates a limitation on access.

legally protected

Highlights the legal protection from being revealed.

embargoed

Similar to "under seal" but often used in journalism to indicate a time restriction.

private

General term indicating non-public information.

off the record

Specifically refers to information not for public consumption.

FAQs

How is "under seal" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "under seal" indicates that documents, testimonies, or other information are protected from public disclosure by a court order or other legal authority. This ensures confidentiality for specific reasons, such as protecting ongoing investigations or individual privacy.

What's the difference between "confidential" and "under seal"?

"Confidential" generally means private or secret. "Under seal" specifically means that something is legally protected from disclosure by a court or other authority, implying a higher level of restriction.

When might a court order something to be placed "under seal"?

A court might order something to be placed "under seal" to protect trade secrets, safeguard ongoing investigations, ensure the privacy of individuals involved in a case, or prevent the disclosure of sensitive information that could compromise national security.

What are some alternatives to "under seal" that still convey a sense of confidentiality?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "classified", "restricted", or "non-disclosure" to indicate confidentiality. However, remember that "under seal" has a specific legal meaning that these alternatives may not fully capture.