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
Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
During the panel, Martin said the company was looking to produce more English language shows with its international partners in key territories across Europe.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Mar. 2025
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
The key is to clarify each of these—and be able to plan ahead.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025
Brown, who also had four rebounds, five assists and three steals, keyed a 12–0 run that broke a 10-10 tie in the second quarter.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Learn to pause at key moments, modulate your tone, and steer clear of filler words.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
During the panel, Martin said the company was looking to produce more English language shows with its international partners in key territories across Europe.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
But the key is where the Brazilians were operating from.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
The key is to clarify each of these—and be able to plan ahead.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
Early on, when Pine Creek keyed on Betts, Roberson cut to the basket for slashing layups and found an open spot on the floor for clean shots.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025
Brown, who also had four rebounds, five assists and three steals, keyed a 12–0 run that broke a 10-10 tie in the second quarter.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Everybody plays numerous parts, assigned without regard to gender (there’s even a cameo for Fleming), but the anchors are Cumming’s Cholmondeley, the nerd who came up the audacious idea, and Hodgson’s Montagu, the operation’s main manager and salesman.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2025
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The physical pop-up takes over The Carousel @ Bloomingdale’s 1,600-square foot main floor space, as well as displays in the store’s Lexington Avenue windows for the launch.—
Lisa Lockwood,
WWD,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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My previous post, Being Sad Is Expensive: How Your Money-Mindset Matters showed how emotions play a crucial role in shaping financial behavior.—
Shane Enete,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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Ask Chris Richards, who credits a small but crucial collective upward shift at Crystal Palace in the second half of the season for reviving the club’s hopes of meaningful progress.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Reforms on the table include how to give greater roles to women in the Catholic Church, including ordaining them as deacons, and the greater inclusion of non-clergy members in governance and decision making.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
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Comments Oh, how the tables have turned in the Severance season 2 finale.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Last June, Amazon declined comment when asked if Amazon Prime Monday games would be a gateway to getting more games once Rogers’ current deal expires next year.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Wadden Sea National Park Beyond its Viking heritage, Ribe is also a gateway to Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Without these partnerships, nursing homes and our public hospitals would have been deprived of essential federal funding that has undoubtedly protected local access to care at no cost to the state.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
-
During the development of the collections the eight finalists had access to industry mentors including stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson and fashion editor Sara Sozzani Maino, in addition to Burke and Patel.—
Sandra Salibian,
WWD,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Progressive Automation That Frees Up Time Repetitive tasks like sending payment reminders and reconciling invoices shouldn’t consume the workweek.—
Juliana Berger,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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The couple later reconciled, according to a September 2023 social media post from Gatto.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His primary motive in life is to make money and get laid.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
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The glassed atrium, or collar, as Chenin calls it, connects the main public volume to the primary suite and gym.—
Rachel Gallaher,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For leaders this serves as a critical warning: the relentless pursuit of productivity without regard for the multifaceted nature of human identity can lead to a workforce that is disengaged, unfulfilled and ultimately less innovative.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Their disruption of this critical shipping route — which raises fuel, freight, and insurance costs, contributing to global inflation — adds to the urgency for U.S. action.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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