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
  • Travelers should monitor airline apps and airport announcements for updates, and check whether their flights have been canceled or rescheduled before setting off.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Doing so could set off a turf war with other powerful committee leaders.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of set off
Verb
  • The disappointment ultimately prompted his vow to make a change, and set him on a career toward motivating others to do the same.
    — S. Sorrina Beecher, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Corruption topped the list among issues that motivated voters in the overwhelming and nationwide midterm election victory for Democrats, according to the CNBC Voter Poll.
    — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of motivate
Verb
  • Set on 500 stunning acres, Carmel Valley Ranch is a smile-inducing hub of activity.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • There’s also worry about going too far and inducing more Chinese manufacturing of chips by denying China technology.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of induce
Verb
  • The new offering is the producer’s Extra Umami Hot Chili Crisp, which dials back some of the spice and pumps up the savory flavor.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Google has been pumping up its cloud revenue by making its tensor processing units for AI available outside its own facilities.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of pump up
Verb
  • Details of a suspect and motive in the case have not been released.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Authorities had reported no arrests or motive as of Sunday evening, and investigators were still working to determine what happened.
    — Mike Stewart, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of motive
Verb
  • Researchers at Colorado State University have developed flexible robots inspired by elephant trunks that can bend, grip objects, and connect with other machines.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Its latest name is a literary wink to Walt Whitman, who spent three months in New Orleans in 1848, a visit that helped inspire Leaves of Grass.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of inspire
Verb
  • The Jets came out energized by the crowd booing and taunting Hellebuyck to express their anger and jumped to a 2-0 lead.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • But when Quinonez, Olivia Vukosa and Kayleigh Heckel came into the game with a little over five minutes remaining in the quarter, the Huskies got energized.
    — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of energize
Verb
  • After the release mechanism activates, the polymer hinges use heat to unfold the solar panels.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • About 32 minutes later, the camera was activated again as Derek left the apartment.
    — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 11 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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