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
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The Biden administration noted the rise in used vehicle pricing was a key contribution to inflation during that time.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Ankit Aggarwal, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Despite its slim design, the interior holds more than meets the eye — think phone, wallet, sunglasses, keys, and then some.
—Taylor Jean Stephan, People.com, 26 May 2025
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
After going into the third quarter with a double-digit lead and extending it to as much as 54-39, Houston responded with a 10-2 run over the next four minutes, forcing two turnovers and converting on both to key the run.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Similar sabotage acts have affected NATO member states previously, including Sweden, such as the cutting of key underwater communications cables in the Baltic, arson attacks on logistics facilities in Germany, and cyberattacks targeting defense firms.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The Biden administration noted the rise in used vehicle pricing was a key contribution to inflation during that time.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Noun
The key is credibility; both paths must be real, not just a bluff.
—Ankit Aggarwal, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Despite its slim design, the interior holds more than meets the eye — think phone, wallet, sunglasses, keys, and then some.
—Taylor Jean Stephan, People.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
But what investors will likely key on won’t be the backward-looking Q1 figures.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
After going into the third quarter with a double-digit lead and extending it to as much as 54-39, Houston responded with a 10-2 run over the next four minutes, forcing two turnovers and converting on both to key the run.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Israel hit Iran’s main enrichment site at Natanz, its leading nuclear scientists, and struck the heart of its ballistic missile program, Netanyahu said.—
Spencer Kimball,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
-
While the official investigation is still underway, early video and expert reviews have pointed to a few main theories.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Memphis fell in the standings toward the end of the year, and this offseason was already going to be a crucial one.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
-
Victor Olofsson injected crucial secondary scoring (15 goals in 56 games) at a dirt-cheap $1.075 million rate.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Open up the right-side grill table, and there's a fifth burner with a 176-square-inch cast iron griddle surface.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
14 June 2025
-
The Panthers got off to a strong start, but the Oilers turned the tables to steal a road overtime win just as Florida had in Game 2.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Speaking of Jan, Loop-finding-jazz-records got reissued in 2017, and that was a huge gateway.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
-
Noah Graham | National Basketball Association | Getty Images Individual star players have beckoned some of the biggest endorsement deals, which didn’t contribute to the team sponsorship total, but often serve as a gateway for brands to eventually strike deals with teams, said Lynch.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
The task has been made more challenging by the fact that U.S. curbs not only inhibit China’s access to the world’s most advanced chips, but also restrict availing technology vital for creating an AI chip ecosystem.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
-
In prehistoric times, people of course had no access to such luxuries.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
In recent weeks, investors have tried to reconcile gaps between the hard economic data, some of which started to show cracks in the labor market before May payrolls came in stronger-than-expected, and the soft economic data, which has signaled a deterioration in consumer sentiment for months.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
-
Cyrus and Hemsworth then ended their engagement and broke up a year later, before reconciling in 2015.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Democratic mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks during a primary debate on June 4 in New York.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
-
The gluteus medius muscle, a smaller buttock muscle located underneath the gluteus maximus, is the primary muscle supporting the pelvis. 4.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Current Treatment Options for Rosacea for Women in Midlife Because rosacea can worsen or change in midlife, dermatologists often recommend a tailored approach that takes into account both hormonal changes and skin sensitivity, making midlife a critical time to seek diagnosis and treatment.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
12 June 2025
-
The lads were famously bowled over by an early listen, but the record Wilson poured his time into wasn’t an immediate critical or chart success back at home.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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