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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
But the key journey, and that’s what Mike had chosen, was the Matt Hagen version. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026 The vessel’s ability to move under its own power is a key part of the concept. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
There are full-size Backspace, Delete, and arrow keys, in addition to a number pad and a separate row of volume controls. — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026 When reviewing nearly 17,000 missing persons reports left him with no leads, Cooper turned to the 29 keys that had been sitting in an evidence room for decades, collecting dust. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
This concert will key on their dynamic latest release, Full Circle. — Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 After Grant’s 60-yard score to Rattler put the Cougars up 12-6, Cleveland drove 80 yards in 12 plays, keyed by three completions by quarterback Domenik Fuentes and punctuated by Joseph Hurtado’s one-yard touchdown run. — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 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 kingdom partially resumed operations at its main airport on Sunday despite damage from earlier attacks, even as the Houthis threatened further strikes.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The project will also improve sewer main capacity by upsizing a parallel line.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Even the golf cart service (crucial in a resort this big) is on point, with a seamless online ordering platform and a bounty of staff ready to ferry you around, even at peak times.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • This latest accomplishment adds to an already strong year for Skechers athletes, as OG Anunoby was crucial to the New York Knicks’ championship and made the game-winning shot to cap off a historic comeback in game 4 of the NBA Finals.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of crucial
Noun
  • For those in-between moments, Coa&Co Café opens onto a sprawling lounge with communal tables and couches.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • On each table, a card introduces one of the trainees with a short quote—her name, her country of origin, and a reflection on what cooking here represents.
    — Jessica Jungbauer, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • Ushuaia, Argentina’s long-standing polar gateway, had grown intensely congested, and Combrink was scouting an alternative.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • First, the gateway, so switching models is a configuration change with a rollback rather than a rewrite.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of gateway
Noun
  • One small disappointment was the lack of access to the loft in my deluxe studio, tucked so high under the shed roof that it was deemed unsafe to allow guests access by ladder.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Governments hostile to the United States, notably China, have sought to establish seemingly legitimate business and academic relationships to gain access to proprietary information.
    — Sam Mullins, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of access
Verb
  • Lula has struggled to reconcile his party’s traditional positions with demands for tougher action.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The two versions of Israel that could result are so divergent as to seem impossible to reconcile.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of reconcile
Adjective
  • The Heat used Larsson, Portis, Hardaway and Nikola Jovic as its four primary reserves for the third straight game to start the season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • One thing most agree on is that the diminishment of competitive seats leads to greater polarization because legislators are only beholden to primary voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Key Takeaways These artificial channels are up to five times more selective for lithium, offering a simpler way to extract the critical battery material.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Seeking to acquire as wide a tent of support as possible, Student List purposefully left its position on most critical issues outside of corruption vague and noncommittal.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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