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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of powder keg
Then, as if to light a match to the powder keg of the crowd, HYDE went down to the crowd.
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Billboard Japan, Billboard, 29 July 2025
How could a powder keg, years in the making, hide in plain sight?
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal star in the polarizing film, set in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as a sheriff and mayor who sparks a powder keg in their small town.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 July 2025
That sparks a powder keg as neighbors are pitted against each other in this New Mexico pueblo.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Billboard Japan, Billboard, 29 July 2025
How could a powder keg, years in the making, hide in plain sight?
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal star in the polarizing film, set in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as a sheriff and mayor who sparks a powder keg in their small town.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 July 2025
That sparks a powder keg as neighbors are pitted against each other in this New Mexico pueblo.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powder keg
volcano
Noun
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Treasure Island had a pirate show, and the Mirage had this volcano show.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
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About 150 volcanoes in the Atacama Andes—including Láscar, Chile’s most active—create this shape-shifting environment that’s as active as the travelers cresting it.—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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