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
Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
It will be regularly updated with information and key documents.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Remove everything from your entryway — shoes, coats, bags, keys, mail, all of it.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2026
That's when Vanderbilt finished the quarter on a 14-4 run keyed by four straight 3s.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Amid a busy offseason ESPN's Matt Miller believes there's a key player the Ravens should add to the roster.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
It will be regularly updated with information and key documents.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Heat were leading 116-114 with 12 seconds left when Tatum received the ball at the top of the key.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Remove everything from your entryway — shoes, coats, bags, keys, mail, all of it.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
After a Blazers bucket opened the fourth quarter, the Nuggets strung together three more straight stops, keyed by two of their best stoppers, reunited.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2026
That's when Vanderbilt finished the quarter on a 14-4 run keyed by four straight 3s.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Demonstrators flocked to protests around the country to march, stand in crowds or line main streets.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Sirens alerted people to seek shelter in and around Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheba and areas near the country’s main nuclear research center, which were targeted by Iranian strikes that injured dozens last weekend.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The move could cement Tehran’s de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its own oil flowing to China.—
David McHugh,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
This coating plays a crucial role.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your entryway is the gateway between the outside world and your personal space.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Detroit's role in the Underground Railroad is being brought to life for a new generation while highlighting the city's place as a critical gateway to freedom for thousands fleeing slavery.—
Rachelle Graham,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The data revealed Black babies have a higher likelihood to die than others and that mothers of color also face the brunt of unequal access to care and predisposition to certain medical conditions.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Alec Bohm has had full access to the accounts and his parents are paying his expenses on their personal credit cards, their lawyer, Robert Eckard, said in a statement.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The government attempted to reconcile the hodgepodge of leftist ideologies and micro-factions through the testimony of Kyle Shideler, a director and senior analyst at the Center for Security Policy, a far-right think tank.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Now, a new study seeks to reconcile the difference between the science and what regenerative farmers experience on the land.—
Lucianne Tonti,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The primary retreat anchors dual bathrooms, a private salon and an oversized dressing room.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But the May 5 Democratic primary election, which pits a progressive newcomer and a longtime political gadfly against an incumbent with strong ties to Indy Democrats, could act as a proxy for voters' feelings about the party establishment.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage are approaching a critical deadline that could have long-lasting financial consequences.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For Iranian athletes who play in domestic-league games that aren’t broadcast internationally, the World Cup serves as a critical launchpad to impress international scouts.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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