KEYS Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

keys 1 of 2

noun

plural of key

as in scales

an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart in order to know what those dotted lines represent, you'll need to look at the key

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in tickets

something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal a good education is the key to success

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in doors

the means or right of entering or participating in he had found the key to her heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

keys

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of key

as in reconciles

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

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.

Recent Examples of keys

Noun

It’s even fitted with thoughtful details like a D-ring inside to hook your keys for easy access, as well as a magnetic clasp to keep everything enclosed. —

Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026 On my cruise, Denis was the king of the piano keys and Tracy sang standards with a velvety voice. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026 According to a 2022 independent investigation, Freidenrich threw office keys at one employee, which violated workplace violence policies, and threateningly pointed her finger at another’s face. —

Claire Wang, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026 School rules now insignificant—even to Walsh, who stands hands in his pockets, jingling his keys. —

Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026 As a performer, Tetzloff uses a natural physicality, at times leaning back from the piano as if to take a good look at his hands on the keys, and at other times coiling forward in rapt concentration. —

Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026 Shoe benches with hidden compartments keep footwear out of sight, and slim console tables with drawers provide a landing spot for keys and mail. —

Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026 Your family can hang up their coats, keys, backpacks, and headphones, put their hats and purses on the bench, and tuck their shoes under. —

Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026 She was described as being in her early 20s to late 30s, 5-feet-4, 135 pounds and was wearing a multi-colored short dress with a gray sweater and a bracelet of black and yellow rubber with two keys. —

Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026

Verb

WhatsApp, Signal, and Apple iMessages all offer E2EE, which places the encryption keys for the messages only on the sender and recipient devices. —

Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026 Brian Hooker told officials that his wife, Lynette Hooker, fell off their eight-foot dinghy during a trip from Hope Town to Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands after the couple left on the night of Saturday, April 4, taking the boat keys with her and causing the engine to shut off. —

Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026 Be sure to keep cars locked and keys out of reach of children, Fennell said. —

Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026 The senior first baseman/pitcher is one of the area’s top hitters and keys the Panthers’ playoff hopes. —

Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 15 Feb. 2026 Microsoft handed the government encryption keys for customer data. —

Tom Warren, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026 Eco effort The hotel adheres to Hyatt’s global standards for sustainability, with robust waste and recycling initiatives, extensive energy and water recycling programs, and the use of World of Hyatt digital keys through your phone, to reduce the number of plastic room keys in use. —

Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026 Zella’s Move In Pocket Joggers feature a side-zip security pocket to keep small items like cards and keys safe, and they’re currently marked down to just $30. —

Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026 Medical Recreational and medical No legalization Use the arrow keys ↑↓←→ to navigate through the map regions. —

Hannah Parker, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for keys

Noun

However, as transistor dimensions approach atomic scales, quantum effects, heat dissipation, and fabrication constraints are making further miniaturization increasingly difficult.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
Similar scales, smaller, more narrow, usually red, would remain well into the 1970s inside supermarkets and five-and-dimes like Woolworth.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026