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
Experts say the state’s policies have allowed intolerance to flourish, creating a powder keg for violence.
—
Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023
There’s one by us that’s just a powder keg for class differences.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2023
With this first experience of liberty, the whole unfeasible powder keg of her identity explodes.
—Rachel Cusk, New York Times, 2 May 2023
The events underscored how the government’s plan remains a powder keg despite Mr. Netanyahu’s decision to suspend it in late March after months of protests, opposition from within the military and nationwide strikes.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 14 June 2023
Forming unlikely alliances, she is forced to navigate the powder keg of life underground where one misstep will light the fuse.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 11 May 2023
Visitors, alarmed by what was now considered a geopolitical powder keg, stayed away.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2023
That’s a new one for Rahm, the 28-year-old Spaniard who was frequently a powder keg of emotion earlier in his career when things went awry on the golf course.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2023
The removal of Confederate monuments across the South shows the Civil War remains a political powder keg and a culturally sensitive topic.
—al, 6 Mar. 2023
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Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023
There’s one by us that’s just a powder keg for class differences.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2023
With this first experience of liberty, the whole unfeasible powder keg of her identity explodes.
—Rachel Cusk, New York Times, 2 May 2023
The events underscored how the government’s plan remains a powder keg despite Mr. Netanyahu’s decision to suspend it in late March after months of protests, opposition from within the military and nationwide strikes.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 14 June 2023
Forming unlikely alliances, she is forced to navigate the powder keg of life underground where one misstep will light the fuse.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 11 May 2023
Visitors, alarmed by what was now considered a geopolitical powder keg, stayed away.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2023
That’s a new one for Rahm, the 28-year-old Spaniard who was frequently a powder keg of emotion earlier in his career when things went awry on the golf course.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2023
The removal of Confederate monuments across the South shows the Civil War remains a political powder keg and a culturally sensitive topic.
—al, 6 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'powder keg.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near powder keg
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powder%20keg. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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