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
Set in the 39th century on the planet Altair II, an assassination sparks a tinderbox that leads to an epic three-faction war across the planet, as former allies become bitter rivals.
—
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025
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
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025
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
-
From towering volcanoes to fish-flying markets, the Pacific Northwest packs a remarkable range of experiences into one corner of the country.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The area Most people come here to see Mount Fuji, and there are plenty of ways to commune with the volcano.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Iran is China’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, but China’s diverse energy sources have shielded it from the heavy economic toll and energy crisis that the war has caused for other countries in East Asia.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In an indication this might not be a crisis after all, neither Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Giants manager Tony Vitello was asked about it during their respective pregame interview sessions Wednesday.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
According to Tom’s brother Lee, Cole just wanted the situation over.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The Maplewood building, which is owned by Ramsey County, houses an average of 17 families and has drawn some 494 volunteers this year alone, accounting for nearly 3,000 hours of service, according to Catholic Charities, which began informing longtime volunteers of the situation last week by email.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderbox. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
