Critical and Key

Similar meaning words

Critical adjective - Of the greatest possible importance.

Usage example: this is the critical exam that will largely determine your college career

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Key is a synonym for critical in crucial topic. In some cases you can use "Key" instead the word "Critical" as an adjective or a noun.

Key adjective - Of the greatest possible importance.

Usage example: first—and this is key—I wasn't even there that evening

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Critical is a synonym for key in crucial topic. You can use "Critical" instead an adjective "Key".

Nearby Words: keyed, keyboard, keying

A key system can be damaged, and each critical hit also kills crewmembers.

Source: Critical Existence Failure / Video Games
Smith was pretty careful about the application of physics because one of the key sci-fi elements in the series was neutralizing inertia (which is critical to this trope).

Source: Not the Fall That Kills You
He was considered a masterful general whose involvement was key in several critical victories for the Union.

Source: Useful Notes / The American Civil War

Cite this Source

Key and Critical. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/critical/key

Critical & Key. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/critical/key>.

Key or Critical. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/critical/key.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "critical" and "key" have occurred on timeline