powder keg

noun

1
: a small usually metal cask for holding gunpowder or blasting powder
2
: something liable to explode

Examples of powder keg in a Sentence

Political instability has made the region a powder keg. the immigration bill has become a political powder keg for legislators on both sides of the aisle
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 Barak Ravid, Zachary Basu 8 mins ago - World Israel's new powder keg Israel's assassination spree in Iran and Lebanon has brought the Middle East closer to a devastating regional war than at any point since Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024 Amid this powder keg came the drowning of Eugene Williams. Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for powder keg 

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of powder keg was in 1791

Dictionary Entries Near powder keg

Cite this Entry

“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powder%20keg. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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