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
Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Running Windows is key for adoption, but the ability to run the entire Nvidia stack locally?
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 June 2026
Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 June 2026
For a stronger microbiome and immune system, there isn’t one superfood that will make the difference –– the keys are balance, variety and consistency.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Elke and Alysia started seeing the big bugs fluttering around in late April, and as their numbers grew through early May, the native rainbows started keying in on them more and more.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
More than half of all households in South Africa face systematic water shortages, new data showed, offering the pro-business Democratic Alliance political leverage ahead of key local elections this year.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Running Windows is key for adoption, but the ability to run the entire Nvidia stack locally?
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 June 2026
Noun
Because, naturally, just about every detail of the upcoming wedding is under strict lock and key.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 June 2026
For a stronger microbiome and immune system, there isn’t one superfood that will make the difference –– the keys are balance, variety and consistency.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Verb
Bob Iger is beginning a fresh phase after recently handing the Disney keys over to new CEO Josh D’Amaro, and this era includes some new awards.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Elke and Alysia started seeing the big bugs fluttering around in late April, and as their numbers grew through early May, the native rainbows started keying in on them more and more.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Dylan Redford, who serves as co-creator, director, editor, cinematographer, production sound mixer, main title editor and motion design director on the series, is the grandson of the late Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor and Sundance Film Festival founder who died last year at 89.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
30 May 2026
-
Entergy New Orleans, the city’s main electric utility, has an accelerated grid-hardening plan that aims to replace existing utility poles with more fortified poles to withstand higher winds and selectively move some lines underground in high-risk areas.—
Sufan Jiang,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the final two minutes, Salaün grabbed two crucial rebounds, hit two free throws, and knocked down a clutch jumper that gave Golden State a 87-84 lead.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
In his last three years with the program, Vizakis was crucial in helping the Warriors compile a 38-1 record, resulting in two Super Bowl championships.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The table tells a harsher story.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Blessing appears to want to exit the vehicle but is unable to fully open his door as it is pinned by the table.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The neighborhood/area Newberg, Oregon, is the gateway to the Willamette Valley wine country.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Closure of the strait, at the southern end of the Red Sea and a critical gateway to the Suez Canal, could significantly disrupt global trade.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Programs like Breakthrough Therapy designation, Accelerated Approval, expanded access and the use of surrogate endpoints exist precisely because traditional timelines are not always appropriate when lives are at stake.—
Elise Esposito,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Rejane Faria brought a powerful sense of truth to this character, delicately balancing all the nuances of a woman carrying an unbearable grief, yet still searching for a way to keep going and reconcile with herself.—
Marcelo Cajueiro,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
These are the recurring five-minute routines that go unmeasured, like reconciling spreadsheets, checking policy documents or reformatting reports.—
Ameya Kanitkar,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
California’s June 2nd primary election is just around the corner.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
In the primary suite, a vaulted ceiling with a skylight let's in even more Southern California sunshine.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Suzanne Swierc Ball State University agreed to pay $225,000 to its former health director, Suzanne Swierc, after she was fired for making a critical social media post following Kirk's assassination, according to reporting from IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Studying the history of the Winkie and Lord, Miller, and Muntadas’s video anthology offers us perhaps an alternative path out of our current critical doom loop.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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