How to Use key to in a Sentence

key to

verb
  • The guy at the top is the key to all of us.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
  • The key to a flawless beat is your base.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 May 2026
  • But that's not the key to its brightness.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 15 May 2026
  • Working with wet hair is key to this process.
    — Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 4 May 2026
  • That was going to be a huge key to the game.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
  • The key to weed control is to stay ahead of them.
    — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026
  • Towns in the middle was the key to all of it.
    — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 12 June 2026
  • The Knicks received keys to the city.
    — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026
  • The key to the perfect gumbo is in the roux.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
  • Those clutch rebounds in big moments will be the key to this.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 5 June 2026
  • That choice became key to some of the film’s biggest wins.
    — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2026
  • Physics may be key to solving the problem.
    — Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026
  • My boyfriend of five years refuses to give me a key to his place.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • What is the key to reaching the age of 108?
    — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The key to achieving wrinkle-free linen?
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
  • The Knicks were presented with keys to the city.
    — Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026
  • The key to traveling light is the right set of packing cubes.
    — Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The key to Bruce’s success and overall chill mood?
    — ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The mix ordered at the asphalt plant was key to its longevity.
    — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026
  • The key to football fandom is learning to deal with the ups and downs.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • These expert tips are key to keeping your home cool this summer.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026
  • The key to feeling loved is truly being known.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
  • The key to keeping weeds from taking over your patio is to stay ahead of them.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
  • Buttermilk is the key to a moist, tender cake.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
  • Knowing yourself is key to the teams’ success.
    — Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
  • And though their mother has died, the three say that her influence is key to their bond.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Adding the grits to the pot slowly while stirring is key to the dish's creaminess and no lumps.
    — Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
  • Bitterness to me is the key to balance in a hoppy beer.
    — Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
  • Harvesting at the right time is key to the best flavor and texture.
    — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
  • Finding a good public land hunting spot is the key to success.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'key to.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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