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
Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Taiwan has also stopped exporting key high-tech products to Russia, the ministry added.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Andy Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The key is to synthesize these components to construct the narrative of your life.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
In particular, the LEAP keys, as befitting their central importance, were given a row to themselves in an eye-catching shade of pink.
—Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Some 70 percent of its business was with strategic and key suppliers that met their business, quality, citizenship and sustainability performance criteria — compared with 56 percent in FY24.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Taiwan has also stopped exporting key high-tech products to Russia, the ministry added.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
Following his best performance so far, against Atletico, Slot offered further explanation for why patience may well be the key.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The key is to synthesize these components to construct the narrative of your life.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Rodolfo Duran keyed another win for Triple-A El Paso.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
In particular, the LEAP keys, as befitting their central importance, were given a row to themselves in an eye-catching shade of pink.
—Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Those designing the new main building decided to cut that association, the aim being to make the first-team facilities an area players must aspire to enter.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In addition, Zacapa, the premium main sponsor of spirits at LAFS, will once again present the Visionary of the Year Award during the summit’s closing cocktail ceremony.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The specific demands of the Singapore Grand Prix, one of the hottest and most physically gruelling races on the F1 calendar, made the grid’s preparations in the past week or so that bit more crucial, with a ‘heat hazard’ now declared for the race.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Utility executives and analysts have said clean energy projects are crucial to help power new data centers and factories, because they can be built quickly and produce electricity that is relatively cheap.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As of February 2024, the North Seattle plan was formally off the table.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The away supporters at Molineux did not have much else to shout about until the Dutch central defender’s 86th-minute header rescued a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who remain winless at the foot of the table.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Those spiders were the gateway bugs into the booming community of jumping spider pet owners.—
Alina Hartounian,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Beyond the charming downtown, Port Jervis doubles as a gateway to the outdoors.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The area also features a red mini fridge for easy access to snacks and drinks, and a custom bath with kid-friendly touches, like step-stools to reach the trough sink, alphabet artwork, and a large jar full of bath toys.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Typically a shutdown results in the closure of or limited access to resources at National Park Service sites, which includes the Indiana Dunes.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nor can this ruling be reconciled with the Court’s decisions in many other cases — including recent rulings that allowed lower court orders to block pro-immigrant policies under the Biden administration.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Since then, his daughter, Kerri Rawson, has publicly discussed having to reconcile the truth about her father, a churchgoer and former Cub Scout leader, with the reality of his vicious crimes.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Pathways, promises and potential are always the primary motivations.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Five years later Augusta had a stroke, with Ed acting as primary caretaker.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But during a critical game early in the season, that’s exactly what took place.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Others took note of Jones on that play, and many were critical of the Chiefs star.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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