time bomb

noun

1
: a bomb so made as to explode at a predetermined time
2
: something with a potentially dangerous or detrimental delayed reaction

Examples of time bomb in a Sentence

He's a time bomb getting ready to explode. If we don't do something about the pollution problem, we'll be sitting on a ticking time bomb.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Furthermore, as the global energy demand continues to rise, especially in emerging economies which have very limited energy security, which makes the fossil fuel dependency a ticking time bomb. Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 Books Orwell’s 5 greatest essays: No. 1, ‘Politics and the English Language’ Nov. 8, 2013 Some Wodehouse lines are like time bombs, detonating with a momentary delay. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 Because, as is, Butler is an expensive veteran with an expiring contract — a time bomb. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 Sign up for Axios Future of Defense Sam Sabin Mar 14, 2025 - Technology Malware's AI time bomb Hackers already have the AI tools needed to create the adaptable, destructive malware that security experts fear. Sam Sabin, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for time bomb

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of time bomb was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Time bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/time%20bomb. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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