powder keg

Definition of powder kegnext
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

Relevance

Example Sentences

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 Or, perhaps even more likely, Iran devolves into a morass, a chaotic power struggle that destabilizes the entire powder keg of a region. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powder keg
volcano
Noun
  • Chef Lino will also bring his eggroll taquitos and volcano nachos.
    Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 14 May 2026
  • Wailea Blue Golf Course Maui, Hawaii The Wailea Blue Golf Course combines incredible views of the ocean and Mount Haleakala, Maui's famous volcano, with a challenging round of golf.
    Megan duBois, USA Today, 13 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster