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
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
The Kansas City Royals rolled into town sitting on a powder keg.
—Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
They are being thrust involuntarily into a powder keg.
—State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
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
The Kansas City Royals rolled into town sitting on a powder keg.
—Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
They are being thrust involuntarily into a powder keg.
—State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powder keg
volcano
Noun
-
Sip wine atop a Sicilian volcano in Italy?—
Mary Curry,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
-
At one point, Atsu climbs its range and skirts along the mouth of the dormant volcano, which spreads like an impossibly massive maw in every direction (Yōtei is pushing the limits of draw-distance tech).—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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