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.
—
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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Iceland's unique environment includes an active volcano, natural hot springs, thousands of picturesque waterfalls and glaciers – including Vatnajökull, which takes up 8% of the country's land area.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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The Highlands The Highlands are an untamed region full of volcanoes, black deserts, and crater lakes.—
Gwen Nicol,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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