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
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
In the familiar pattern, today’s resolution is tomorrow’s tinderbox.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Kenya’s deteriorating economy — youth unemployment stands at 67% — has turned the country into a tinderbox: Yesterday’s protests were preceded by violent demonstrations against the killing of a blogger while in police custody, leaving many seeking answers.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
The Middle East has been a tinderbox since October 2023, when Hamas militants from Gaza entered Israel in force, killing hundreds and taking dozens more hostage.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinderbox
Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
In the familiar pattern, today’s resolution is tomorrow’s tinderbox.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Kenya’s deteriorating economy — youth unemployment stands at 67% — has turned the country into a tinderbox: Yesterday’s protests were preceded by violent demonstrations against the killing of a blogger while in police custody, leaving many seeking answers.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
The Middle East has been a tinderbox since October 2023, when Hamas militants from Gaza entered Israel in force, killing hundreds and taking dozens more hostage.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinderbox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinderbox
Noun
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Remember not to pile it up like a pyramid around the trunk of trees (this is also known as a mulch volcano).—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
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Mulch should not be piled around the stem of a woody shrub or the trunks of trees creating the look of a volcano.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Daisy Jones & the Six chronicles the rise and fall of a group fronted by two charismatic lead singers—Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne—and their journey from obscurity to fame, complete with romantic tensions, personal crises, and drug problems.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Climate crisis supercharging typhoons The western Pacific is the most active tropical basin on Earth but global ocean temperatures have been at record levels for each of the last eight years.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Morant situation unfolded after the team's 117-112 loss to the Lakers, during which some perceived that the Grizzlies star displayed a lack of effort.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Running back Breece Hall, who reportedly requested a trade himself before the deadline, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson both took to X to share their thoughts on the situation.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderbox. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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