Thesaurus results for POWDER KEG

powder keg

noun

Definition of powder keg

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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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.

Recent Examples of powder keg 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 Ferreira is the lone outsider, a friend of the youngest son, Johnny, who gets thrown into a powder keg of a holiday. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for powder keg

Recent Examples of Synonyms for powder keg

volcano

Noun

The eruption started Monday morning, with clouds of gas and ash rising above the volcano as lava and pyroclastic flows rolled down the slopes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
In July, Roku made the city even more interactive with a new brand campaign that guides users to visit six themed areas featuring humorous promo spots, including a pirate ship, a volcano and a villain’s evil lair.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of volcano

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powdering

powder keg

powder kegs

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“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of powder keg

noun

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