keys (up)

verb

present tense third-person singular of key (up)
as in sets off

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for keys (up)
  1. sets off
  2. motivates
  3. activates
  4. induces
  5. energizes
  6. quickens
  7. inspires
  8. animates
Verb
  • Ultimately, Miles sacrifices himself so that the others can escape, holding onto the detonator that sets off a massive explosion until his final breath.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The idea that the relationship was ending sets off alarm bells for experts like Nikki Engel, who serves as the co-executive director of Violence Free Minnesota.
    — Conor Wight, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sets off
Verb
  • The memory both haunts and motivates Pugh’s Cathy throughout the series.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In Quadlin and Rudel’s article, a student might become interested in the idea of student debt as either a responsibility that motivates them or a liability that constrains them.
    — Saurabh Anand, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of motivates
Verb
  • The geometry of the dome itself regulates ventilation and activates natural air circulation through the stack effect, complemented by floor-level air intake to prevent direct drafts and maintain a consistent microclimate.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Recorder page activates the glasses’ voice recorder, which saves the audio recording, a transcript of everything said, and an AI summary.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of activates
Verb
  • The drug induces a powerful loss of personal identity and a brief but total dissolution of time and space.
    — Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Spotting even one Bolide in the wild is incredibly rare; seeing a pack of them hurtling down the circuit’s main straight induces goose bumps.
    — Sean Evans, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of induces
Verb
  • The first is whether Phase 1 energizes anywhere near its early 2028 target.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Auspicious Jupiter energizes your 3rd House of Communication while imaginative Neptune harmonizes from your 11th House of Friends and Community, making ideas, introductions, and pitches flow more easily.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026
Definition of energizes
Verb
  • More potassium nitrate sustains a longer burn; more sulfur quickens the explosion.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • As technology advances, the pace of deforestation only quickens, resulting in the penetration and destruction of even the most remote wildernesses.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Definition of quickens
Verb
  • Leslie, who led the Sparks to two WNBA championships, hopes her statue inspires young girls pursue their basketball dreams.
    — Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The promise of coffee inspires many of us to get out of bed in the morning.
    — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • Its legacy animates both movements seeking greater inclusion and campaigns promising to restore a national unity defined in racial or cultural terms.
    — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The commitment to community, education, engagement and artistry that animates the college and its arts center, also animates BTE, said Millhouse.
    — Barbara Vitello, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of animates
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

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

“Keys (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keys%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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