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
Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025
The pair, joined by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, interrupted each other repeatedly during a meeting initially intended to be about a key U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 1 Mar. 2025
Chris Haslam, WIRED, 19 Feb. 2025
But the key is to listen for information that could ultimately impact a bank’s financial model and, therefore, earnings projections.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025
Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
The historic 5-under 67 round by Rose is keyed by a back-nine 31.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Brooks Ghost 14 Running Shoes Traction is another key trait that Lee notes as a standout with her Brooks Ghost shoes.
—Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025
The pair, joined by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, interrupted each other repeatedly during a meeting initially intended to be about a key U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
The key is to use a fabric that won’t scratch and will minimize static build-up.
—Chris Haslam, WIRED, 19 Feb. 2025
But the key is to listen for information that could ultimately impact a bank’s financial model and, therefore, earnings projections.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Mahomes to Kelce connection continued to key the Chiefs attack on their epic 13-play 7:44 drive.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
The historic 5-under 67 round by Rose is keyed by a back-nine 31.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
The fest’s main CinemaxX venue still feels state-of-the-art — a genuine movie theater, unlike the makeshift venues used by so many others fests — and a former Imax screen used by the Blue Man Group marks a nice addition.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
-
What’s different this time is how Wilds‘ main antagonist, the White Wraith, behaves.—
Josh Broadwell,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Gold, which is universally recognized and not tied to credit or another counterparty, is a crucial reserve.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Staying updated on industry advancements is crucial.—
Sivakumar Ramakrishnan,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
And the charge Jones drew on Bogdan Bogdanović with 1:53 remaining set the table for the Bulls to attempt — and, ultimately, fail — to pull off the upset win.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Other options on the table that could lead to coverage losses include imposing work requirements and lowering the federal share of spending for the Medicaid expansion population.—
Peter Sullivan,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
San Diego Public Libraries serve as gateways to education and equity.—
Patrick Stewart,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Port of Los Angeles Trade with China, its longtime top trade partner and the top gateway for U.S.-China trade, rose a relatively modest 7.62%.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Fans can register for pre-sale access in advance here.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Democratic lawmakers have alleged she was removed for refusing to provide access to sensitive data without the necessary clearance.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Preventing it from happening again, as Vance pledged to do at Dachau, Scholz said, cannot be reconciled with support for the AfD. More is at stake than German politics.—
Massimo Calabresi/Dachau,
TIME,
22 Feb. 2025
-
The story itself was a typically innocent Shirley Temple tale, in this a young girl who tries to reconcile her parents and her grandfather after her mother marries a Yankee.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The interface consists of selecting a primary tool and then a contextual menu at the bottom of the screen with the options for that tool.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
1 Mar. 2025
-
The money could give him a significant edge with just four months to go until the primary election.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Pope updates:Francis attends Mass hours after 'respiratory crisis,' remains critical What is a polymicrobial infection?—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
This is the first and most critical question to answer.—
Jennifer Sodini,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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