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
Things may have been all fun and games (literally) for a few months, but Yellowjackets' camp is a powder keg of teen hormones, power hunger and religious drama ready to explode.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
The first-look teaser, unfolding at a gas station, promises a powder keg of tension waiting to explode beneath the serene beauty of village life.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025
Defying genre with every fresh step, Jacques Audiard’s stylishly provocative thriller continually explodes its narrative with powder keg performances from Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez – a true triple threat of today’s top talent.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
Wes accurately identifies that as the powder keg that made Rob turn on his fellow Traitor.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
The first-look teaser, unfolding at a gas station, promises a powder keg of tension waiting to explode beneath the serene beauty of village life.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025
Defying genre with every fresh step, Jacques Audiard’s stylishly provocative thriller continually explodes its narrative with powder keg performances from Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez – a true triple threat of today’s top talent.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
Wes accurately identifies that as the powder keg that made Rob turn on his fellow Traitor.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder keg
Cite this Entry
“Powder keg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powder%20keg. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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