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
Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
As much as things have changed for Barker, many key things have stayed the same.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 20 May 2026
The keys on the keyboard are clicky with noticeable travel.
—Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for key
Adjective
Jon Devine, senior economist at Cotton Incorporated, keeps key stakeholders in the textile and investment communities informed via timely market analyses of commodity economics and factors influencing their stability.
—Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
As much as things have changed for Barker, many key things have stayed the same.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Noun
The key is to choose garments that feel harmonious in terms of proportion, texture, and color.
—René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 20 May 2026
The keys on the keyboard are clicky with noticeable travel.
—Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Verb
The 49ers are clearly poised for a new era of wide receivers, after several playoff runs were keyed by Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
Adjective
-
Plenty of helpful signs are posted throughout, and main paths traverse the park.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This intersection between kitchens and spirits spills over from main courses into desserts too.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
That assessment didn’t mention Taiwan directly, but, in relation to Iran, said both sides had agreed that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil and natural gas, must remain open.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The subpoenas were crucial in getting the names of children and their families so the Justice Department could interview them.—
Kimberlee Kruesi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
With one out, Adames set the table by flipping a single into right field, then Chapman followed up with an opposite-field single of his own.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
-
If Freeling wins the left tackle job out of training camp, all options should be on the table.—
Mike Kaye
Updated May 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen have previously attacked ships in the Red Sea and around the Bab el-Mandeb strait, which serves as the southern gateway to the Red Sea much like the Strait of Hormuz serves as the gateway to the Persian Gulf.—
May 19,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
Freiburg, in southwest Germany, serves as a gateway to the Black Forest region, known for dense woodlands, traditional villages and low-density tourism compared with other popular German regions.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Allowing pharmacists to prescribe and administer the contraceptive injection would help expand access to birth control across New York.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Her assignment was to help the Gaza Health Ministry restore access to health care in the north, where Israeli attacks had flattened nearly every building in sight.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Armenia and Turkey agreed in late 2021 to work toward improving the relationship and appointed special envoys to discuss ways to reconcile and open the border.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
-
The combination of the AI boom and the energy crisis poses a unique challenge for governments on how to reconcile an increasingly fractured economy.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, about a kilometre away, workers began clearing debris from the old site of the primary-care center, making room for a permanent replacement.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
In Canada, those minerals sit in the same rock formations where miners already dig for copper, nickel, and diamonds, or explore for critical green transition metals like lithium and cobalt.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
-
Global energy demand is projected to rise more than 50% by 2040, driven by economic growth in Asia and power-hungry AI infrastructure — and LNG, which is a cleaner fuel than coal or oil, is seen as a critical source to help meet that demand.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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