Synonyms of key

key 1 of 3

adjective

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

• main
• primary
• greatest
• highest
• predominant
• dominant
• foremost
• big
• first
• leading
• central
• principal
• chief
• paramount
• supreme
• great
• cardinal
• overriding
• prior
• major
• master
• premier
• primal
• important
• capital
• sovereign
• top
• number one
• No. 1
• outstanding
• overbearing
• distinguished
• notable
• grand
• preeminent
• noteworthy
• signal
• senior
• eminent
• prestigious
• sovran
• overmastering
• high-level
• numero uno
• arch
• influential
• stellar
• illustrious
• significant
• momentous
• superior
• star
• mighty
• famous
• noble
• unparalleled
• incomparable
• unequalled
• renowned
• celebrated
• unequaled
• famed
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• last
• least
• minor
• unimportant
• trivial
• insignificant
• secondary
• slight
• negligible
• subordinate
• collateral
• inconsequential
• inferior
• inconsiderable
• trifling
• subsidiary

2

as in crucial

of the greatest possible importance

first—and this is key—I wasn't even there that evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crucial
• critical
• vital
• pivotal
• essential
• fundamental
• basic
• necessary
• decisive
• elementary
• instrumental
• life-or-death
• requisite
• life-and-death
• pressing
• urgent
• indispensable
• weighty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• unimportant
• trivial
• insignificant
• inconsequential

key

2 of 3

noun

ˈkē 

1

as in table

an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart

in order to know what those dotted lines represent, you'll need to look at the key

Synonyms & Similar Words

• table
• scale
• caption
• legend
• guide

2

as in gateway

something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal

a good education is the key to success

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gateway
• ticket
• passport
• secret
• approach
• method
• way
• means
• success
• open sesame
• password
• technique
• system
• strategy
• blueprint
• achievement
• plan
• triumph
• program
• style
• attainment
• accomplishment
• coup
• scheme
• manner
• design
• ground plan

3

as in access

the means or right of entering or participating in

he had found the key to her heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

• access
• door
• entry
• entrance
• accession
• gateway
• admission
• doorway
• passport
• ticket
• admittance
• entrée
• entree
• approval
• certification
• permission
• qualification
• ingress
• authorization
• open door
• welcome mat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• removal
• rejection
• dismissal
• discharge
• expulsion
• ejection
• ouster

key

3 of 3

verb

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

• reconcile
• coordinate
• integrate
• combine
• align
• adapt
• match
• harmonize
• suit
• balance
• correlate
• conform
• attune
• accommodate
• connect
• merge
• tune
• conciliate
• proportion
• blend
• pair
• synchronize
• unite
• synthesize
• unify
• array
• fit
• fuse
• standardize
• order
• even
• join
• equalize
• orchestrate
• dovetail
• square
• arrange
• aline
• regularize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upset
• disrupt
• confuse
• disturb
• disarray
• skew
• disharmonize
• disorganize
• alienate
• disorder
• estrange

Examples of key in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Pharrell’s curiosity, a key driver of his creativity, eventually won out. —Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Oct. 2024

The 2024 presidential election therefore marks not just a key race to see who leads the country but also one of the first contests under what could be brand new dynamics for the parties. —Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2024

Noun

Instead of swinging bell-bottoms, the key is to opt for a loose, baggy fit similar to the denim shapes du jour. —Emma Spedding, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2024

For employers, the key will be to find ways to engage. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024

Verb

Voters traditionally pay more attention to the election after Labor Day, so the June debate hit at a moment when many people weren’t keyed into the campaign. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2024

Or her keying his car with Spanish expletives, then marrying his brother in an act of retaliation. —Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024