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

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

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
Six of those candidates won their primaries and made it to November’s ballot, including in three states — Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin — that promise to be key once more to picking the next president. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 So heading into the midterms, obviously key numbers with the president here. — NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
Making cleaning manageable Seasonal cleaning can feel overwhelming, Christian said, but the key is to not let tasks pile up. — Olivia Laborde, AJC.com, 7 Sep. 2026 Pack a waterproof lanyard A lanyard is the best way to keep tickets and keys secure and in one place. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 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
  • Rhodes owes Orton another lick after getting punted in the head following their WrestleMania 42 Night 1 main event brawl.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Spectrum’s second flight began with ignition of the rocket’s nine Aquila main engines, burning a mixture of propane and liquid oxygen propellants to generate more than 150,000 pounds (675 kilonewtons) of thrust.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Most crucial to Barcelona’s long-term outlook is their success in refinancing the huge sums already borrowed to fund the project.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The timing of the Houthis’ escalation, which began with attacks on Saudi interests in July, is especially significant, given that the Red Sea has become a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz for Saudi oil during the Iran war.
    — April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of crucial
Noun
  • On a recent weekend, a group of friends congregated in the venue’s basement, a narrow room with black leather couches and steel tables.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But here, in a backyard on Cimarron Street on the last Saturday in July, conversation bounces from table to table, mouth to mouth, and the harmony of the day falls into place.
    — Jason Parham, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • The Bab al-Mandab is only about 18 miles wide at its narrowest point and serves as the southern gateway to the Suez Canal.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Back in 2008, Mark Holowesko, an investment management CEO who once managed portfolios overseen by the legendary Sir John Templeton, was one of seven owners of Highbourne Cay, a private island at the northern gateway to the Exuma Cays.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of gateway
Noun
  • These are often the families who need access to mainstream credit the most.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of access
Verb
  • Reports indicate that though Harry has reconciled with his father, King Charles, William still has no intention of meeting with his younger brother.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 Sep. 2026
  • While her own family has never stepped foot in Taiwan, Lily holds onto the belief that perfecting her Mandarin will finally reconcile the shortcomings of being a diaspora kid.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of reconcile
Adjective
  • The club prefers Taylor to serve as the primary organizational voice to relay its message — and to take the brunt of criticism.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The charcoal floor tiling and island in the corner kitchen feel like something Rick Owens would have dreamed up, as are the primary bathroom’s concrete floors and shower stall.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • And although there were some critical mistakes from Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway, the new Baylor QB made big-time throws, showed grit while playing through injury and had the Bears in position to win in the final moments.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • GlobalFoundries and Monarch Quantum will give the company domestic manufacturing partners for two critical parts of its systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of critical

Browse Nearby Words

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keyboardist
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Cite this Entry

“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on key

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about key

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