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Definitions

hornet's nest

NOUN
trouble; hazard
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commotion difficulty hazard trouble
STRONG
difficult situation unpleasant situation
WEAK
botheration can of worms complication dilemma headache hitch hot water issue mess obstacle pickle point at issue predicament quandary scrape
hornets' nest
NOUN
problem
Synonyms
WEAK
botheration box can of worms complication count crunch dilemma disagreement dispute disputed point doubt headache hitch hot water issue mess obstacle pickle point at issue predicament quandary question scrape squeeze tr

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Curiously, I never really got angry at the North Koreans, on the assumption that if you kick the hornet’s nest and get stung, you can’t really blame the hornets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

The judges said when they directed the temple officials to produce complete files and records relating to the repair of the idols, "little did we realise, that we were in fact opening a hornet's nest".

From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025

The Seahawks are heading into a hornet’s nest Sunday in Detroit.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 11, 2023

David Guillemard, a striker who has worked at the Total refinery for 22 years, said the back-to-work order had kicked a hornet’s nest.

From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2022

“Accuse you?” gasped Ranofer, aghast at the hornet’s nest he had stirred up.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw