1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
maintains that Sir Isaac Newton remains the key figure in physical science
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
first—and this is key—I wasn't even there that evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in gateway
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal
a good education is the key to success
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in access
the means or right of entering or participating in
he had found the key to her heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to reconcile
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
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Recent Examples of key
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The Biden administration noted the rise in used vehicle pricing was a key contribution to inflation during that time.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
After acquiring the key (literally) to stopping it in the last film, Ethan is now crossing the globe to get to the A.I.’s source, hoping to stop it and its human allies from taking control of all the world’s missiles and unleashing a nuclear apocalypse.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
After going into the third quarter with a double-digit lead and extending it to as much as 54-39, Houston responded with a 10-2 run over the next four minutes, forcing two turnovers and converting on both to key the run.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Similar sabotage acts have affected NATO member states previously, including Sweden, such as the cutting of key underwater communications cables in the Baltic, arson attacks on logistics facilities in Germany, and cyberattacks targeting defense firms.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The Biden administration noted the rise in used vehicle pricing was a key contribution to inflation during that time.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Noun
Reckoning Ending At the end of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Cruise manages to wrestle the AI key from Gabriel while the pair fight in the cockpit of a biplane.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
After acquiring the key (literally) to stopping it in the last film, Ethan is now crossing the globe to get to the A.I.’s source, hoping to stop it and its human allies from taking control of all the world’s missiles and unleashing a nuclear apocalypse.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Verb
But what investors will likely key on won’t be the backward-looking Q1 figures.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
After going into the third quarter with a double-digit lead and extending it to as much as 54-39, Houston responded with a 10-2 run over the next four minutes, forcing two turnovers and converting on both to key the run.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Homelessness is certainly a major problem, said Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center, the area’s main shelter.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
-
Greenwood never played for his boyhood club again, despite the charges being dropped in February 2023 when the prosecution’s main witness withdrew her cooperation.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
The timing piece is crucial, but the relationship building is everything.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
3 June 2025
-
Assessing a model’s performance has become crucial for businesses to trust and ultimately adopt AI, Ratner said.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
2 June 2025
-
Manchester United finished this past season 15th in the table.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
With the gateway model, the central team can manage all aspects of the telemetry data management using the gateway collectors.—
Dinesh Gurumurthy,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Astana International Financial Center governor Kazakhstan aims to be the gateway for trade between the East and the West, said Renat Bekturov, governor of the Astana International Financial Center.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Del Toro said that those investigators involved with the tragedy will have access to treatment to deal with the trauma from responding to the death.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
-
Officials said the project also supports the town’s long-term commitment to neighborhood revitalization and inclusive park access throughout Newington.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Whitten reconciled creative impulses that often seemed diametrically opposed.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
29 May 2025
-
In June 2013, Tish filed for divorce, but a month later, the couple had once again reconciled.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
The gluteus medius muscle, a smaller buttock muscle located underneath the gluteus maximus, is the primary muscle supporting the pelvis. 4.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
5 June 2025
-
Joe Schoen and Daboll already are giving a ton of key players days and weeks off this spring, limiting the football that some of their primary contributors are playing.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
His defenders included Laura Loomer, the far-right activist who has often been critical of other Trump nominees with histories of supporting Democrats.—
Jonathan Swan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
-
But expert groups were more critical of the proposal.—
Katherine Dillinger,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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