time bomb

as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation the region's political instability has turned it into a ticking time bomb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 time bomb There’s a great deal of tension going on because there’s a ticking time bomb element to it, but there’s also a desire for Frank to want to take River with him. Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Oct. 2024 Liam’s family members called him something else: a time bomb about to explode. Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2025 Coincidentally, Japan’s population peaked in 2011, so don’t give me this demographic time bomb narrative. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Doug is a ticking time bomb …on several levels, probably. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for time bomb

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Time bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time%20bomb. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!