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

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2
as in gateway
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal a good education is the key to success

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3
as in access
the means or right of entering or participating in he had found the key to her heart

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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
California’s new attempt to help struggling newsrooms faces a key test. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 How Cuba turns the reforms into lasting law remains a key question. — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
Proton supports authentication using a hardware security key. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 The robbery suspects got away with cellphones, watches, car keys, wallets, driver's licenses and money. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
Opponents cannot key on Brundidge, however, with the addition of speedy transfer Cole Emanuel, a receiver from Edgewater. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 To that end, Suschitzky tried to key off of the many extraordinary performances to find a visual language for the movie. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 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
  • The fourth-year pro with blazing speed had an impressive training camp and appeared to be one of the team’s main kick returners.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Many market participants believe these results will serve as a crucial bellwether to test whether the AI rally can sustain its momentum.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Brown’s ability to hammer Husted on this issue is alarming Republican operatives, who see a Husted victory as crucial to holding a majority in the Senate.
    — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of crucial
Noun
  • So there’s things like that, but then there’s things like looking at a very small bird in your neighborhood, or being at a table with a group of people and being part of a conversation.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Fish Market is a seafood spot with a sea-to-table concept—guests can select their own seafood, which is then cooked with Maldivian flavors and ingredients.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • The report comes shortly after data from Ukrainian open-source mapping group Deep State found that the most active battlefield actions were taking place around Kostyantynivka, which is seen as the gateway to the rest of the Donbas region.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • American Airlines is continuing to build Charlotte Douglas International Airport as a global gateway with new, direct service to Barcelona beginning next summer.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of gateway
Noun
  • Charles Bradshaw, community plans and liaison officer at Naval Base Coronado, said the bridge preserves vital defense access as part of the strategic highway network.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • How much access is currently possible for emergency vehicles is not clear.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of access
Verb
  • In those earliest works using magazine transfers, Cowin layered disjunctive images, visually uniting realities that can’t easily be reconciled emotionally.
    — Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than actual service failures, those logistical wrinkles serve as reminders that beneath the polished five-star veneer sits a functioning medical practice attempting to reconcile luxury hospitality with individualized medicine.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of reconcile
Adjective
  • In 2025, Kelley told PEOPLE exclusively that his wife was his primary motivation for pursuing sobriety.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Fields and Mooney, who should take Austin’s place as the primary slot receiver, will be the other starters.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • The critical consensus on the Croisette was similarly effusive.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Restrictions on energy, electricity or critical minerals, something Ford also floated, could instead raise costs for American companies and consumers by making key inputs more expensive or harder to obtain.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on key

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about key

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