KEY (UP) Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

key (up)

verb

Definition of key (up)

as in to set off

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for key (up)

Verb

As a result, the rise in diesel costs threatens to worsen a surge of inflation set off by the outbreak of the Iran war nearly seven months ago.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
The move set off increases of up to 5% across pump stations in Lagos and the capital Abuja.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of set off

Verb

Lee’s film is motivated less by anger and more by curiosity, compassion and a general confusion, as no one quite knows how to behave or feel or just be.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Dubrow also mentioned Kris Jenner’s recent facelift, which may have motivated women to seek out the procedure based on her results.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of motivate

Verb

Alcantara induced flyouts from the first two batters in the ninth inning before walking Lars Nootbar.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Perfecting the work inch by inch, writing from the first word toward the last, displays the courage and fear this method induces.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of induce

Verb

This was partly inspired by the club’s latest investigations into apparent ‘ticket-touting’, when 1,149 fan accounts were banned, and more were threatened with having their season tickets revoked.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The grounds pass concept was inspired by the fan-friendly atmosphere highlights at the US Openin New York City.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

The visits tend to energize the base ahead of the midterms and may also broaden congressional candidates’ appeal.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
The bold clarity of the performances was energizing, but the wailing sometimes sounded like parody grief.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of energize

Verb

Researchers therefore began exploring partial reprogramming, briefly activating the Yamanaka factors in ways that appear to rejuvenate cells while maintaining their specialized identities.

— Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
If the vehicle has no power and the window remains fully raised, Tesla warns the glass could shatter when someone activates the release.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Key (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of key (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

aggrandize

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes