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
There are several other emotional powder kegs that need one little spark, and those babies are going all the way off.
—
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
This lack of accountability creates a powder keg.
—Joshua Simmons, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
The halftime show has been a powder keg for political discourse for months as many anticipated the Puerto Rican superstar, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, would make some kind of statement in support of Latino immigrants.
—Amanda Rosa
updated February 9, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2026
Nellie keeping things bottled up was a powder keg waiting to blow.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
This lack of accountability creates a powder keg.
—Joshua Simmons, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
The halftime show has been a powder keg for political discourse for months as many anticipated the Puerto Rican superstar, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, would make some kind of statement in support of Latino immigrants.
—Amanda Rosa
updated February 9, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2026
Nellie keeping things bottled up was a powder keg waiting to blow.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 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 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
