time bomb

noun

1
: a bomb so made as to explode at a predetermined time
2
: something with a potentially dangerous or detrimental delayed reaction

Examples of time bomb in a Sentence

He's a time bomb getting ready to explode. If we don't do something about the pollution problem, we'll be sitting on a ticking time bomb.
Recent Examples on the Web
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But state officials knew those ARPA dollars would be exhausted by 2026 and that using them to cover recurring expenses was a ticking fiscal time bomb, a huge hole that eventually would have to be filled some other way. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025 Both technologies promised transformative value but became liability time bombs when deployed without guardrails. Jacques Nack, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 However, the issues behind the protests — such as government corruption, the use of excessive force by police, and the lack of job prospects for young adults — are ticking time bombs that risk eroding the country’s reputation. Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 16 July 2025 Meanwhile, this pension time bomb would cost the city nearly as much as repeal of the grocery tax and in the future will cost far more. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for time bomb

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of time bomb was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Time bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/time%20bomb. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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