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 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
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
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
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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Treasure Island had a pirate show, and the Mirage had this volcano show.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
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About 150 volcanoes in the Atacama Andes—including Láscar, Chile’s most active—create this shape-shifting environment that’s as active as the travelers cresting it.—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The members face a crisis of friendship as loyalties shift, trust is tested, and the lines between fact and fiction blur.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
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Democrats criticized House Republicans for remaining away from Washington, arguing that their absence is prolonging the crisis and deepening hardship for workers and families nationwide.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The situation had led her to question the integrity of some board members, Buchanan said in conclusion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
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Following Dombrowski’s comments and his belief that Harper is unhappy with his current contract situation, Sherman opened the door to a potential offseason trade that sends Harper elsewhere.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderbox. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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