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

Most wines are made on the Pico Island with its huge volcano, Ponta do Pico, Portugal’s highest mountain at 7,713 feet.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Arthur’s Seat is a landmark dormant volcano that rises 251 meters (823 feet) above sea level, according to the Scottish tourism board, offering hikers views of the country’s capital city.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 20 July 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 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of powder keg

noun

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