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
Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 9 Jan. 2026
With the willful Sun embracing passionate Mars in your 8th House of Deep Bonds, cooperation will be key.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
My final preview key has to do with formats.
—Keith Stewart, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Hannah Parker, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025
But the Knicks answered with an 8-0 run, keyed by Bridges' 3-pointer and three free throws from Brunson after a flagrant foul.
—CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Retail has long been a key focus for chairman and chief executive officer Remo Ruffini and a way to build the brand’s community, and the New York store will contribute to further develop the American market.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 9 Jan. 2026
With the willful Sun embracing passionate Mars in your 8th House of Deep Bonds, cooperation will be key.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Marsh provided a spark again in the second half and made two deep 3-pointers from near the top of the key as part of a 13-2 run.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
My final preview key has to do with formats.
—Keith Stewart, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
Medical Recreational and medical No legalization Use the arrow keys ↑↓←→ to navigate through the map regions.
—Hannah Parker, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025
But the Knicks answered with an 8-0 run, keyed by Bridges' 3-pointer and three free throws from Brunson after a flagrant foul.
—CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
And one of its main ingredients was a hair product – Afro Sheen.—
Sonari Glinton,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Then the Orion capsule will fire up its main thruster and shoot off towards the Moon on its 240,000-mile, four-day journey.—
The Week,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Features such as grab bars, curbless showers, shower benches, barrier-free entries and wider doors provide crucial safety benefits without sacrificing luxury.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
On a crucial third-and-10 just inside field goal range, Beck was confident with his pass to Marion to get well within range.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Business leaders, of course, have their own interests and shareholders to serve, but Democrats can still protect the public interest while giving CEOs a seat at the table to reach pragmatic answers to difficult questions like these.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
When his name was announced, Chalamet turned to kiss Jenner at their table at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles before shouting out those who have supported him in his career, including his costars, parents and the entrepreneur.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Moab This city in eastern Utah is a gateway to the red rock wonders of the state—many of which are found within neighboring Arches and Canyonlands national parks.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The school site sits along Interstate 4 and serves as a gateway to the town.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The federal government pays 90% of the costs of Idaho’s Medicaid expansion, which as of early 2025 provided access to care for about 90,000 lower-income Idaho residents who earn too much to qualify for standard Medicaid but not enough for private insurance discounts.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
With less access to scholarships and aid, some students may elect to choose a different path of study, potentially sinking enrollment below the quotas set by the law enacted last year.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The hit Taylor Sheridan series was inspired by the real-life oil boom in West Texas and stars Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, an oil man who has reconciled with his firecracker ex-wife, Angela (Larter).—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
People had previously reported their breakup in August 2025, but the pair appeared to reconcile in September before splitting for good in October.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If the recovering addicts’ primary task was to filter out women who wouldn’t qualify to sue—namely, those who didn’t have pelvic mesh or who did but weren’t in pain—Blake’s was to amp up the value of their lawsuits (and attorneys’ fees) by convincing them to have their mesh surgically removed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The other available Heat players who were out of the primary rotation Saturday were Keshad Johnson, Simone Fontecchio, Kasparas Jakucionis and Myron Gardner.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Welfare advocates, long highly critical of the San Jose animal shelter, are warning of a potential legal fight if the agency fails to improve animal care — accusing the city of neglect, gross negligence and repeating violations of state law.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Construction plans indicate that China intends to demolish and rebuild a basement wall, placing officials and equipment just over three feet from critical fiber-optic cables.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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