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

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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
Momo needed to make a rare trip in Edna and found the key fob totally dead. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026 After playing a key role in the Cleveland Guardians’ Wild Card series comeback against the Chicago White Sox, Steven Kwan was barely able to speak with a reporter in the clubhouse. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
Its latest annual Gboard experiment flips this dynamic on its head with moving keys that eventually roll into position right under your finger. — New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026 The key, though, is that Aurora blends AI insights with the human touch. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
Tristan Peters fouled off 12 pitches in an 18-pitch at-bat that keyed Chicago's six-run outburst in the sixth inning and the White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 on Monday night to stay atop the AL Central. — CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 Daylen Lile tripled to key a four-run rally in the eighth inning, Jacob Young and Dylan Crews added RBIs and the Washington Nationals beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 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
  • Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Engineers at an Ontario nuclear power station have reached a major milestone in rebuilding a reactor core, finishing a crucial stage almost a month ahead of schedule.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But this campaign of attacks deep inside enemy territory has given Ukraine crucial leverage, sparking a major fuel crisis inside Russia.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of crucial
Noun
  • The round dining table conveys a sense of clarity and play on geometry.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Talarico engaged in a debate with six voters from across the political spectrum, with each coming to the stage to sit down across the table from the candidate.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • Cargo on ships that have diverted away from the Hormuz is backing up at the region’s alternative gateways.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Verdict Sporting a more polished look than its contemporaries, Panasonic’s Japanese microwave is a nice gateway to nudge your kitchen toward more upscale design.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of gateway
Noun
  • The move gives Victoria House access to Gersh’s international talent network and opportunities to explore new financing and co-production partnerships, while preserving the Spanish company’s creative independence.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Much of the Pentagon press corps declined, and a federal judge sided with the press in March, striking several parts of the department’s press access policy.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of access
Verb
  • For all of that still to be reconciled, the essential question remains about the financing.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The technician gets one coherent answer instead of four tools to reconcile by hand, and the plant avoids the downtime that used to depend on one retiring expert’s memory.
    — Osman Koc, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of reconcile
Adjective
  • The primary danger of these apps is not the fees associated with using just one, Feltner noted.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The bill was introduced over a year ago, and its primary backer was the late Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican senator who represented South Carolina.
    — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • The critical need for a crisis communications plan, regardless of the size of your business.
    — Janelle Ash , Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • If a critical variable exceeds an allowable limit, the safety function overrides the control system regardless of why the controller made its decision.
    — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on key

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about key

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