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
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Although the recognition of other countries is also a key component of obtaining statehood, any Palestinian state established today would not meet the minimal criteria, according to Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute.
—Michele Chabin, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
The domain owner then creates a certificate request that includes its public key and the identifying information to be embedded into the certificate.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Linebackers Parker Cresswell and Cooper McNamara key the defense.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
The key difference-maker in the first set was the Pegula return.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Although the recognition of other countries is also a key component of obtaining statehood, any Palestinian state established today would not meet the minimal criteria, according to Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute.
—Michele Chabin, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
The key here is to wait for the toothpaste to completely dry; doing so allows for maximum stain absorption.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
The domain owner then creates a certificate request that includes its public key and the identifying information to be embedded into the certificate.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Acme Tools has extra-long hex keys in their 31-piece DeWalt set.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Linebackers Parker Cresswell and Cooper McNamara key the defense.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Punk is deeply tied into current main-event storylines with real-life married couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, so the impending couples brawl is a great story.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The stages of the eclipse include penumbral and umbral phases, which refer to the two main parts of the shadow that the moon casts.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That tactic was crucial to her victory in last year’s final, and Pegula’s coaching team have been encouraging her to use more variety herself.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Also, a crucial partner in battling against Russia and China.—
Jamie McIntyre,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Take a look at the table for the South American World Cup qualifying group and a couple of things immediately jump out.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Housed in a historic Germantown residence, the restaurant serves its brunch family-style, with strangers seated together at communal tables.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Chrome is absolutely central to Google's business model, serving as the gateway that funnels billions of users toward Google's search engine and, ultimately, its advertising goldmine.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
What was your gateway into edgier, more mature musicals?—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to that, a membership gives you access to Prime Video, with unlimited streaming and original programming.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Field believes one of the key intersections between AI and design is that AI tools will help broaden access, letting more people become designers.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cultural fluency also means reconciling work habits.—
Nathanael Bondu,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
-
King Charles and Prince Harry are closer to not just reconciling, but meeting in person.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Given the steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access, hand crews and aviation resources will remain the primary suppression tools.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Charlotte voters will finalize their primary picks for mayor and City Council on Tuesday.—
Josh Bergeron,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In service of that goal, the government has abandoned due process in favor of media warfare, preemptive declarations of guilt and freezes on billions in critical federal funding.—
Peter Elkind,
ProPublica,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Starship is the centerpiece of Musk's vision of sending the first humans to Mars, and is also critical in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon's surface.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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