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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Recent Examples of powder keg
There’s that earworm refrain, followed by formidably declarative verses, a powder keg of a chorus and a high-concept bridge.
—
Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
For most of its run time, Never Let Go slinks along slowly, but its final act explodes like a powder keg.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
Onstage, Idles felt like a powder keg ready to blow, turning a Queens audience into socially conscious soccer hooligans for the night.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Sep. 2024
Sig unbuckled his seat belt, because the stiff nylon was adding pressure to a chest that already felt like a powder keg.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for powder keg 
Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
For most of its run time, Never Let Go slinks along slowly, but its final act explodes like a powder keg.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
Onstage, Idles felt like a powder keg ready to blow, turning a Queens audience into socially conscious soccer hooligans for the night.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Sep. 2024
Sig unbuckled his seat belt, because the stiff nylon was adding pressure to a chest that already felt like a powder keg.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for powder keg
Thesaurus Entries Near powder keg
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
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