key 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of keynext
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

key

2 of 3

noun

ˈkē How to pronounce key (audio)
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

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2
as in gateway
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal a good education is the key to success

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3
as in access
the means or right of entering or participating in he had found the key to her heart

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of key
Adjective
California’s new attempt to help struggling newsrooms faces a key test. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 How Cuba turns the reforms into lasting law remains a key question. — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
The key is to be short and memorable without being unserious. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Score smaller must-haves like Le Creuset and Staub kitchenware, plus find essential serveware and tableware, key for any upcoming fall gatherings at home. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
Opponents cannot key on Brundidge, however, with the addition of speedy transfer Cole Emanuel, a receiver from Edgewater. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 To that end, Suschitzky tried to key off of the many extraordinary performances to find a visual language for the movie. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
  1. main
  2. crucial
  3. table
  4. gateway
  5. access
  6. reconcile
  7. primary
  8. critical
Adjective
  • The fourth-year pro with blazing speed had an impressive training camp and appeared to be one of the team’s main kick returners.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Rare missile overhaul The suspension system plays a crucial role inside a Minuteman III launch facility.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Diesel, a crucial fuel at the heart of the modern economy, hit an all-time high Friday.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of crucial
Noun
  • There is still a strong chance the fight ends up at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as nothing has yet been agreed to switch to London, but Hearn’s revelation has seemingly brought the English capital back to the table.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The timing caught the plaintiffs off guard, with attorneys sharing the news amongst them at the table.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • The Gulf is an attractive destination as a gateway market to the Global South as well as a place to draw capital, Alwadi said in an interview.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Hop off the train in Truckee, California, the gateway to the Lake Tahoe region, which transforms into a wonderland of colorful foliage come October.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of gateway
Noun
  • Before last season, Aitken penned an open letter to the Angels, pleading for a better partnership, a name change, and more access to inspect the stadium.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • That could give small nuclear systems access to decades of engineering investment from industries that manufacture at vastly greater scale.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of access
Verb
  • Reconcile Fragmented Information Before Risk In commodity trading, the strongest returns come from reconciling fragmented information such as cash forecasting, invoice matching, document review, approvals and exception tracking.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Clinicians would need to reconcile those contradictions to figure out the best treatment for their patients.
    — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of reconcile
Adjective
  • In 2025, Kelley told PEOPLE exclusively that his wife was his primary motivation for pursuing sobriety.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Fields and Mooney, who should take Austin’s place as the primary slot receiver, will be the other starters.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Engineers can develop critical reactor hardware internally while sourcing mature technologies elsewhere.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The mere possibility of losing its critical space assets in a surprise attack could push the United States to use its forces early or to delegate launch authority in ways that raise the risk of an accident, to avoid the devastating consequences.
    — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of critical

Browse Nearby Words

kettles of fish
key
keyboardist
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Cite this Entry

“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on key

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about key

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