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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of key
Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
The devastated city -- which was home to some 60,000 people before Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion -- has become a key focus of the Kremlin's yearslong push to capture all of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast, which along with neighboring Luhansk Oblast makes up the Donbas region.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
Declutter by putting away items that collect there throughout the week, like mail, packages of food, keys, or extra dishes.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
In particular, Joanne's sister Morgan (Justine Lupe) has become a goofy caricature, keying Cybertrucks and generally acting like a child.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Since the weather was pretty fair at the time of the crash and the NTSB had few initial takeaways about the environment, the airplane itself will be key, Muntean said.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
The devastated city -- which was home to some 60,000 people before Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion -- has become a key focus of the Kremlin's yearslong push to capture all of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast, which along with neighboring Luhansk Oblast makes up the Donbas region.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Completing the collection, the Delta Slingbag ($3,400) can be worn across the chest or over the shoulder and has a large zipped compartment for your wallet, keys, and phone.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
Declutter by putting away items that collect there throughout the week, like mail, packages of food, keys, or extra dishes.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Defenses can no longer key in on him, with the hyper-athletic Pickens also on the field.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
In particular, Joanne's sister Morgan (Justine Lupe) has become a goofy caricature, keying Cybertrucks and generally acting like a child.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
But for much of the past two centuries, Port Renfrew’s main source of employment was not promoting trees but rather chopping them down—particularly, giant, old-growth trees that fetched the highest value.—
Brad Badelt,
Outside,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Rachelle Salnave, a filmmaker in Haiti, sent me videos of a piece of the Route Nationale, the country’s main transportation artery, collapsing like a glacier into a roiling, swollen river.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Published in Aerospace Science and Technology, the study describes that the Accurate prediction of aerodynamic drag characteristics across a wide range of wing-body configurations is crucial in the early design stages of transonic commercial transport aircraft.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
On Wednesday, investigators recovered the plane’s black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder — which could hold crucial information about what led to the disaster.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Over the course of the hour-long runtime, all the girls bring their lingering tensions and disagreements to the table and air everything out.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Phoenix's oldest dive bars still going strong Nothing beats a classic dive, complete with cheap drinks, pool tables and a jukebox.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Netflix launched in Poland in 2016 and quickly realized the territory – a gateway to CEE with a hefty talent base and a population of nearly 40 million – was a crucial one.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The gateway to the Argentinian side is the city of Puerto Iguazú.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
However, some experts have speculated that Beijing is using Nvidia’s market access as leverage in trade negotiations or to push Washington for wider access to advanced semiconductors.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Suburbia offered the illusion of moral purity, deepening social segregation as highways allowed a quick access to and from the city centre.—
Fahad Zuberi,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Can Harry also reconcile with his brother, Prince William?—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Hernan and Davis parted ways by the end of season 9, but appear to have reconciled since filming wrapped.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This discount shall apply only to the primary residence of the user and shall not apply to separate irrigation meters.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Last season’s Most Improved Player was the primary defender on Dončić, who was held to 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field in 27 minutes.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The shutdown has disrupted federal operations, delayed pay for hundreds of thousands of workers, and put critical programs at risk.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Some fans were critical of Chiefs general manager Brett Veach when the team failed to make a deal last week ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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