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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of powder keg
The entire country was a messianic powder keg.
—
Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
Then, as if to light a match to the powder keg of the crowd, HYDE went down to the crowd.
—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 film, set in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as a sheriff and mayor that sparks a powder keg in their small town.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
Then, as if to light a match to the powder keg of the crowd, HYDE went down to the crowd.
—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 film, set in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as a sheriff and mayor that sparks a powder keg in their small town.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powder keg
volcano
Noun
-
The film, shot in lustrous black and white by Rosi, explores life in the city in southern Italy where Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano, looms nearby.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The previous most energetic volcanic eruption seen on Io was about 80 terawatts, from a volcano called Surt in 2001.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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