1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
officials sought to calm the situation, which had grown into a tinderbox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
while the country's prime minister was meeting with the U.S. president, a political tinderbox was igniting at home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 tinderbox
The red card turned St James’ Park into a frenzied tinderbox.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
The whole place is a tinderbox.
—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Unlike natural thinning, large fire-resilient trees are typically high-graded for felling in Jackson, creating tinderboxes of 300 to 500 mostly juvenile trees per acre.
—
John P. O’Brien,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Keeping the lake low has turned 500 acres of lakebed into a tinderbox — dry invasive grasses with moisture content under 5% — directly in the path of Santa Ana winds.
—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinderbox
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
The whole place is a tinderbox.
—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Unlike natural thinning, large fire-resilient trees are typically high-graded for felling in Jackson, creating tinderboxes of 300 to 500 mostly juvenile trees per acre.
—
John P. O’Brien,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Keeping the lake low has turned 500 acres of lakebed into a tinderbox — dry invasive grasses with moisture content under 5% — directly in the path of Santa Ana winds.
—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinderbox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinderbox
Noun
-
The resort can arrange land and sea excursions to Pigeon Island, Castries, the Pitons and the island’s volcano as well as scuba diving, whale watching, fishing, snorkeling, horseback riding and zip-lining.
-
The neighborhood/area The Icelandic Highlands are an incredibly special part of the country—uninhabited and covered with sprawling mountains and ancient volcanoes.
Noun
-
That helped resolve Europe’s emerging jet fuel crisis and Australia’s diesel shortage.
-
The revelation about the IRS seizure comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over taxpayer funds used to fight the homelessness crisis.
Noun
-
The team agreed to acquire wing Aaron Wiggins from the Thunder in exchange for two second-round picks, according to a person familiar with the situation.
-
As Kennedy and Bessette spend more time together and grow closer, her intimidation of the spotlight and fear of invasive paparazzi often create tension in their relationship, despite his attempts to calm the situation.
Cite this Entry
“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderbox. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
