as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
the immigration bill has become a political powder keg for legislators on both sides of the aisle
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of powder keg
But 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.
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Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
By the time Canada skated against the United States in the group game in Montreal, the atmosphere was akin to a powder keg.
—Don Riddell, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
Her fluffy, frivolous style works well for Isla, who is a giggly pretty princess most of the time but a powder keg of anger when threatened.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
That song is a powder keg, a dynamic storehouse of raw, undiluted energy.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
By the time Canada skated against the United States in the group game in Montreal, the atmosphere was akin to a powder keg.
—Don Riddell, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
Her fluffy, frivolous style works well for Isla, who is a giggly pretty princess most of the time but a powder keg of anger when threatened.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
That song is a powder keg, a dynamic storehouse of raw, undiluted energy.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powder keg
Noun
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Mountains rose, volcanoes erupted and the Atlantic Ocean was born.—
Alexandra Witze,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Apr. 2025
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The left image features the expansive Tharsis plateau and its chain of dormant volcanoes, including the colossal Olympus Mons, which can be seen towering above the Martian clouds.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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