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
Poornima Debolle, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Those behind the bill, however, say the reimbursement provisions are key.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
The trooper put the vehicle in park and took the keys, finding that Marcatoma-Marcatoma had a 1-month-old in his lap without a seatbelt, state police said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025
Michael Moore Jr., Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
Trump meanwhile keyed into the emotions of Americans who saw the prices of eggs, gas, food and car insurance skyrocketing.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Both of these outcomes can pose serious threats to the business, especially in the event of a major tech outage when resilience is key.
—Poornima Debolle, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Those behind the bill, however, say the reimbursement provisions are key.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Noun
That set the table, and the mood, perfectly for all that would follow, as Savill and Halstead twisted their guitars lines like snakes in a basket, Scott crashed the cymbals, Goswell took centerstage with both her voice and keys, and Chaplin played bass like his life depended on it.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
The trooper put the vehicle in park and took the keys, finding that Marcatoma-Marcatoma had a 1-month-old in his lap without a seatbelt, state police said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025
Verb
Police said three Tesla owners reported someone had keyed their cars while parked in the plaza.
—Michael Moore Jr., Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
Trump meanwhile keyed into the emotions of Americans who saw the prices of eggs, gas, food and car insurance skyrocketing.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Its main funders are the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW – and returning main partner ZDF Studios.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
-
This addition sees another key member of the iconic D-Generation X (DX) faction contributing behind the scenes, joining Triple H, who heads main roster creative, Shawn Michaels, who is in charge of NXT creative, and Road Dogg, currently working as a co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
As such, supplemental Federal assistance is crucial.—
Neal Earley,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
-
There's one more crucial step on Wi-Fi 7's quest to increase data rates: The new protocol will provide more channel bandwidth than ever before.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
But to be fair and realistic, Trump hit pause to give trading partners time to come to the table and companies time to reshore their manufacturing.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
21 May 2025
-
As tea continues to flow across borders and breakfast tables, consumers, corporations, and governments all have a role to play.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Alaska’s vast wilderness has been a testing ground of human endurance for millennia as the gateway for human habitation of the Americas.—
Saleem H. Ali,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
-
As fashion and lifestyle brands look West, Fashion Island is emerging as a gateway to the Southern California consumer and visitor.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Other perks: No-rush returns, early access to deals, and freebies on the first of each month.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
The new episodes, which will now center on one 11-minute story, will be available same day-and-date in the U.S. on PBS stations and PBS KIDS digital platforms, keeping U.S. kids’ free access to early learning for free.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
The couple went their separate ways in 1994, before reconciling and getting married in 1997.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
17 May 2025
-
As a result of this discrepancy, employers must reconcile state law and federal guidance.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
The primary exception is that every third update does require a reboot, that enables a fuller update that can get to the parts of your PC a hot patch might not reach.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
There are two primary types of retail pharmacies: chain pharmacies, which are operated by larger companies, and independent pharmacies, which are often locally owned.—
Lucas Dufalla,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
According to George Dimov, CPA, founder and CEO of Dimov Tax, the middle of the year offers a critical but underused window for strategic decisions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
Conservatives pressing for more cuts The fiscal hawks struck first, defeating the bill on Friday in the critical Budget Committee and blocking the legislation from advancing toward a vote on the House floor.—
Catie Edmondson,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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