1
as in volcanoes
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 crises
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
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Recent Examples of tinderboxes
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
John P. O’Brien, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinderboxes
Noun
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The visuals of erupting volcanoes, shifting mountain ranges, and ocean expansion all feature heavily as well—and will probably be what half of my family remembers most about the series.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
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Mountains and valleys shape the paths of the wind; volcanoes scorch the air and shade it with their ash; ocean currents absorb heat and then evaporate into the sky, churning the air with their vapors.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Chai Lifeline provides social, emotional and practical assistance to children and their families who are impacted by loss, medical crises and trauma.—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
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But experts have long said that relying on military forces rather than investing in local policing threatens to worsen already grave security crises.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Several teams around the league appear to be at a crossroads of sorts, and there could be opportunities this summer as a result.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Davion Mitchell has been here before, the risk-reward crossroads between going full speed, shoulder first through a hard screen or practicing prudence.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tinderboxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderboxes. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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