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noun

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tinderbox - A volatile or tense environment, emotionally or politically charged, likely to erupt in violence or conflict.

During the blackout, the police were concerned about looting, and the downtown felt like a tinderbox ready to explode.

adjective

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thorny - Causing distress, difficulty, or trouble.

The negotiating teams were up all night trying to resolve some final thorny issues that had to be resolved.

adjective

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caustic - Sarcastic or severely critical, often in a hurtful or biting manner; or able to burn or corrode organic tissue, typically referring to chemicals or substances.

The caustic chemical spilled onto the floor and quickly started to eat away at the floor surface.

verb

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loom - To appear as a dangerous event that might happen in the near future

Joe looked at the economic data, and could sense a recession looming in the near future.

adjective

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addictive - The habit-forming quality of a substance or activity that causes someone to become dependent on using it or doing it.

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found in cigarettes.

noun

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abyss - A deep or seemingly bottomless hole or chasm.

He stood at the cliff's edge, staring into the black abyss, and he felt a mixture of awe, fear, and amazement.

verb

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blast - To explode or destroy something or someone with explosives, or to break through or hit something with a similar, very strong force

While building the tunnel through the mountain, the construction crew blasted its way day by day until it was finished.

noun

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conflagration - a large fire that causes a lot of damage; or a large and violent event.

As the forest fire raged, people were afraid that the conflagration would reach and destroy the houses nearby.

adjective

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flammable - Easily set on fire; capable of catching fire quickly.

Keep flammable materials away from open flames or heat sources.

adjective

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reckless - Acting without thinking about the consequences, often in a dangerous or irresponsible manner.

The reckless behavior of the lead hikers, going much too close to the edge of the cliffs, put everyone in danger during the climb.

adjective

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volatile - An unstable situation that is likely to get worse quickly

Victor realized that he had created a volatile chemical that could easily explode if he wasn't very careful

noun

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deadline - A specific time or date by which something must be completed.

She worked well under pressure and always met every deadline on time.