tinderbox

noun

tin·​der·​box ˈtin-dər-ˌbäks 

1

a

: a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark

b

: a highly inflammable object or place

2

: a potentially explosive place or situation

Synonyms of tinderbox

• volcano

Examples of tinderbox in a Sentence

That old house is really a tinderbox.

officials sought to calm the situation, which had grown into a tinderbox

Recent Examples on the Web

The whole place is a tinderbox. — Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Extreme drought has turned the region into a tinderbox and allowed flames to spread. — Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

The red card turned St James’ Park into a frenzied tinderbox. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026

During the Biden administration, the border emerged as a tinderbox, with thousands of people seeking to cross into the country each day. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tinderbox

• aftershocks
• chatterbox
• chickenpox
• equinox
• firebox
• goldilocks
• hollyhocks
• interlocks
• orthodox
• paradox
• tomahawks
• balks

Kids Definition

tinderbox

noun

tin·​der·​box -ˌbäks 

1

: a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark

2

: something that can easily catch fire