1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
maintains that Sir Isaac Newton remains the key figure in physical science
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
first—and this is key—I wasn't even there that evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in gateway
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal
a good education is the key to success
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in access
the means or right of entering or participating in
he had found the key to her heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to reconcile
to bring to a state free of conflicts, inconsistencies, or differences
her response was perfectly keyed to the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of key
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Optical connectivity is emerging as a key enabler, and at the forefront of this transformation is Teramount: An Israeli startup co-founded by Dr. Hesham Taha and Dr. Avi Israel.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Deb Amlen, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
From interns documenting their experiences at their first conference to a CEO celebrating a new product launch, the key is simply to make social part of your company culture.
—Bradley Keenan, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2025
Before all the fanfare surrounding tunnel outfits Sanders keyed in on personal style in a unique manner.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for key 
Adjective
Harvard-Westlake is the two-time defending state champion but was supposed to face more challenges after losing several key players to graduation.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Optical connectivity is emerging as a key enabler, and at the forefront of this transformation is Teramount: An Israeli startup co-founded by Dr. Hesham Taha and Dr. Avi Israel.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
Spoiler alert: Subscribers can take a peek at the answer key.
—Deb Amlen, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
From interns documenting their experiences at their first conference to a CEO celebrating a new product launch, the key is simply to make social part of your company culture.
—Bradley Keenan, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
And for aficionados with specific tastes, there's always the option to key in your own settings and save them to the machine.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2025
Before all the fanfare surrounding tunnel outfits Sanders keyed in on personal style in a unique manner.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
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The airport's main runway is the single-busiest runway in the country.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Investigators say Diaz was used to catch his main supplier, 33-year-old Anthony Medina.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For product leaders, the implications are clear: The future belongs to platforms that can turn those crucial first moments from an awkward introduction into the beginning of a valuable relationship.—
Kalyan Garimella,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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The three keys to victory became a crucial part of the Titans’ identity.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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According to the post, the venue's wedding coordinator returned to the guests' table throughout the evening to discuss the tasting items with them.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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And, in fact, when President Biden took the use of force off the table even before Russia’s full-scale invasion, that was one of the least controversial aspects of his policy toward this war.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And having fewer infections would lessen the chance of the H5N1 bird flu virus evolving within a person to spread efficiently between people — the gateway to a bird flu pandemic.—
Amy Maxmen,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
-
The event also included competitions at the novice and junior levels, as well as development camps that are the gateway for athletes to join the national team, which competes at the world and Olympic levels.—
Alice Park,
TIME,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
31 Jan. 2025
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Getting access to the job is the biggest role of DEI.—
Phillip Molnar,
The Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This story comes about from a very basic human thing, which is loving one’s home and feeling good there, and then being forced to reconcile with that home being fragile and occasionally being taken from us.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2025
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That seemingly leaves a vulnerability that any Trump deal allowing ByteDance to maintain control of the algorithm would likely have to reconcile.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Houston’s primary return in the Pressly trade would be salary relief and some flexibility for other acquisitions.—
Sahadev Sharma,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Her primary musical foil is longtime collaborator Koreless, there are also contributions from Marius de Vries (Bjork), Ojivolta (Kanye West, Rose) and many others, although most of the big-name hitmakers (Jeff Bhasker, Stargate, Stuart Price) only pop in for a song or two.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Rubio in the interview said the Arctic was going to become critical for shipping lanes, adding that the United States needs to be able to defend that and warning that U.S. rival China may seek to develop its presence.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
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The wide-ranging effects of the USAID spending freeze spanning different sectors highlight how critical the funds are to the region.—
Aurel Obreja,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near key
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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