powder kegs

noun

plural of powder keg
as in volcanoes
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

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 kegs 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powder kegs
volcanoes
Noun
  • Around every bend, the scenery seemed to shift, eventually revealing a trio of volcanoes on the horizon.
    — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
  • Darwin suspected that atolls formed when coral grew around volcanoes, creating a ring that remained when the volcano subsided.
    — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 19 June 2026
Definition of volcanoes

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powder keg
powder kegs
powder room
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Cite this Entry

“Powder kegs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20kegs. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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