key (up)

verb

Definition of key (up)next
as in to set off

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for key (up)
  1. set off
  2. motivate
  3. induce
  4. pump up
  5. motive
  6. inspire
  7. energize
  8. activate
Verb
  • The move quickly set off a firestorm, with immigration rights advocates accusing DOJ of trying to malign a dead man.
    — Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • Australia’s bold law set off a chain of responses around the world and across the industry.
    — Ravi Iyer, Time, 18 July 2026
Definition of set off
Verb
  • What needs to be consolidated to create a space that motivates you?
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • For anyone still motivated to cheat, election systems in the United States are designed with multiple layers of protection and transparency intended to stand in the way.
    — Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Definition of motivate
Verb
  • This is likely the first-ever humanoid robot induced strike, although there are other issues at play in the current union negotiations.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • According to the court judgment, the pair arranged for employees and associates to drive up bidding prices at auction, inducing the collector, identified under the pseudonym Li Pin, to purchase the items at inflated prices.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of induce
Verb
  • By Thursday, the Eastern Pacific trough that helped pump up the moisture earlier in the week will arrive, bringing a weak cold front and kicking off a late-week cooling trend.
    — Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • Curls reach their full potential with the addition of layers to pump up volume and body.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 July 2026
Definition of pump up
Verb
  • Stockton police said no suspect or motive information was available for this shooting either.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • At the time of writing, police have not identified a suspect or motive in her case.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 12 June 2026
Definition of motive
Verb
  • Fans were inspired, and more big-name players followed, including Peter Beardsley, Keegan’s former Newcastle team-mate.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Wolverine works for Team X, a black-ops group (inspired by the team from the comics) fighting for mutant survival.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Definition of inspire
Verb
  • On July 21, Jupiter will meet with Uranus in a harmonious sextile, creating an energizing connection between our personal expansion and the changes available to us at this time.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • Some of the day-to-day involvement is gone, along with the immediacy that made the early years so energizing.
    — Dustin Lemick, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of energize
Verb
  • Running beta code comes at the consumer’s own risk; diving into the settings to activate features not specifically enabled by Apple will increase that risk.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of activate
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.

Browse Nearby Words

keys (up)
key (up)
khan
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Cite this Entry

“Key (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key%20%28up%29. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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