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
Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
Major cruise line stocks are at key support and worth watching for breakdowns in the weeks ahead.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Joel Rose, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026
The key here is to look for smart fits and dressy details, including creasing, pleating, and even embroidery.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Mega-selling albums like Taylor Swift‘s The Life of a Showgirl and the Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack keyed the results.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Democrats have been demanding significant reforms for immigration enforcement agents, including the removal of their masks, which has become a key point of contention for Republicans.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
Major cruise line stocks are at key support and worth watching for breakdowns in the weeks ahead.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
His parents kept their car keys in a rack near the door.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026
The key here is to look for smart fits and dressy details, including creasing, pleating, and even embroidery.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
Entire defender group returns, keyed by junior Sarahi Carlos and seniors Sonia Alanis and Ashley Lopez.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Mega-selling albums like Taylor Swift‘s The Life of a Showgirl and the Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack keyed the results.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
The Iranian strikes in Israel came after Tehran's main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz was hit earlier in the day.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Manchester City Liverpool fans have mostly sided with their main title rival of the past decade, with over 70 per cent wanting City to win the league.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But Hill made his crucial 3-pointer from beyond the top of the key to give VCU an 80-78 lead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Farke’s decision will set the tone for that crucial opening spell as Elland Road looks for a statement before their rivals for Premier League safety — Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest and West Ham — play on Sunday.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Vance, by contrast, remained in Washington, appearing in Situation Room photos seated at the head of the table, a position typically occupied by the president.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All five of the temple’s notable gateway pavilions were damaged, three almost beyond recognition, according to a damage assessment issued in January by Cambodia’s Culture Ministry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to open soon as a third gateway.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In practice, access at SXSW comes down to time, flexibility and information.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Accessibility 1 Hotel Tokyo has five universal access rooms designed to cater to people with various accessibility needs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The pair reconciled following the incident and continued dating for some time, going on to have a child together — their son, Ever, now two — before eventually breaking up again (and getting back together and breaking up a few more times).—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The most surprising couple to reconcile is the travesty formerly known as Larl.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Not everyone is happy with the change, including those who see it as more of an adaptation to partisanship and primary politics.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
About 30 states are continuing the fight on their own to break up the company from Ticketmaster, which controls 80% of major concert venues’ primary ticketing.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Strait of Hormuz was handling about 20% of global seaborne oil supplies until the war broke out, before Iran virtually stopped flows via the critical waterway.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Home routers and mesh systems are critical to national security and consumer protection, and today’s decision is a step forward.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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