1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
officials sought to calm the situation, which had grown into a tinderbox
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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
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Recent Examples of tinderbox
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
In a naturally occurring tinderbox, there’s only so much local officials can do to prevent fires.
—Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Both Trump and Biden will now face pressure to dial down the temperature ahead of an election that has transformed the country into a tinderbox.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 14 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for tinderbox
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
In a naturally occurring tinderbox, there’s only so much local officials can do to prevent fires.
—Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Both Trump and Biden will now face pressure to dial down the temperature ahead of an election that has transformed the country into a tinderbox.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 14 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for tinderbox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinderbox
Noun
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The film, shot in lustrous black and white by Rosi, explores life in the city in southern Italy where Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano, looms nearby.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
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The previous most energetic volcanic eruption seen on Io was about 80 terawatts, from a volcano called Surt in 2001.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In moments of crisis—when communities are grieving, divided, or searching for ways to care for one another—nonprofits stand on the front lines, holding our social fabric together through connection, healing, and support.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Kim all but disappeared from public view, until the president declared martial law late one Tuesday night in December 2023, launching the nation – and the couple – into a far bigger crisis.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There are, however, some relevant differences between the situations of our two oldest presidents, likely reflective of the differences between senility and madness.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
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The governor’s office sent at least four requests for corrections to the Post, one person familiar with the situation told Semafor.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderbox. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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