key 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of keynext
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

key

2 of 3

noun

ˈkē How to pronounce key (audio)
1
as in table
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
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

key

3 of 3

verb

as in to reconcile
to bring to a state free of conflicts, inconsistencies, or differences her response was perfectly keyed to the situation

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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 key
Adjective
Funding from super PACs and other outside donors has become a key issue in some races. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Kurt's key takeaways A secret phone wipe code can protect sensitive information during a dangerous encounter. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
The key is not to look directly at Perseus, but to use it as a reference. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The Life360 Tile tracks items up to 350 feet away, including devices, keys and bags. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
An internal company slide deck from the time reveals just how keyed-in Nokia was to its lowest-income users. — IEEE Spectrum, 13 July 2026 Seiya Suzuki singled in two runs to key a three-run 10th inning and Jordan Wicks, called up earlier Sunday, got a game-ending double play with the bases loaded to preserve the Chicago Cubs 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the decider of the three-game series. — CBS News, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for key
  1. main
  2. crucial
  3. table
  4. gateway
  5. access
  6. reconcile
  7. primary
  8. critical
Adjective
  • Speaking to voters Of course, there are skeptics everywhere in this arena, not least concerning the two main protagonists.
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • This main event headlines the first PBC world title fight of the new DAZN era, also broadcast on Prime Video.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • This extended to her closest competitors in the Tour, after Niewiadoma-Phinney accused Vollering’s teammate Célia Gery of boxing her in during the crucial penultimate stage.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Both teams are eyeing crucial points across the two-test series for staying in contention for the 2027 World Test Championship final.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of crucial
Noun
  • The lakefront pool and hot tub are perfect for unwinding together, and De La Nonna’s giant pizzas and firepit tables make family dinners easy and fun for the whole group.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Police Dendermonde posted a series of pictures that included 49 gold bars laid out on a table, a bucket of gold coins and officers appearing to log the findings on a computer.
    — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • Flores is known for its colorful volcanic lakes and as a gateway to Komodo National Park, home of the largest lizards on Earth.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • De Niro and the Kaiser Estate were the gateways to the film’s unique structure of simultaneously telling the story of Vito’s ascension and Michael’s descension and the death of the Corleone family his father had built.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of gateway
Noun
  • The department urged residents to secure access points to crawlspaces and to remove anything that would attract the coyote from the outside of their homes.
    — Alys Martinez, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities have limited or restricted access to another 123 sites because of environmental conditions or obstacles that could hinder an evacuation in the event of a wildfire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of access
Verb
  • His former life had ended, and that was a sort of death, too, one to which he was not reconciled.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Faydra explores the impossibility of reconciling logic and longing — especially for a woman unwilling to deny desire.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of reconcile
Adjective
  • Voters across Connecticut are heading to the polls on Tuesday to vote for key primary races including governor and House seats.
    — ABC NEWS, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Learn more about voter resources and details about key races in the WCCO 2026 primary election guide.
    — Esme Murphy, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Cyberattacks against critical systems often leave defenders searching for clues outside the machine.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Zawiya is home to critical energy infrastructure, including Libya’s largest oil refinery, an export terminal and a power plant.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of critical

Browse Nearby Words

kettles of fish
key
keyboardist
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Cite this Entry

“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on key

Nglish: Translation of key for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about key

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