powder keg
noun
1
: a small usually metal cask for holding gunpowder or blasting powder
2
: something liable to explode
Examples of powder keg in a Sentence
Political instability has made the region a powder keg.
the immigration bill has become a political powder keg for legislators on both sides of the aisle
Recent Examples on the Web
However, internal conflict between the brash younger generation and the old-school leadership threatens to set a match to this powder keg, which will sweep the Westies into the FBI’s ever-deepening investigation into the Italian mafia.
—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
The scene isn’t just a powder keg of tension that leads to frenzied bedlam; its cynical depiction of human self-preservation is far more terrifying than any horror movie monster.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
However, there are enough powder kegs and flying sparks around to turn all of this on its head.
—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
About two million years ago, as sabertooth tigers and mastodons roamed the future United States, Yellowstone was a powder keg.
—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
The scene isn’t just a powder keg of tension that leads to frenzied bedlam; its cynical depiction of human self-preservation is far more terrifying than any horror movie monster.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
However, there are enough powder kegs and flying sparks around to turn all of this on its head.
—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
About two million years ago, as sabertooth tigers and mastodons roamed the future United States, Yellowstone was a powder keg.
—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powder%20keg. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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