1
as in volcanoes
a potentially explosive place or situation
officials sought to calm the situation, which had grown into a tinderbox
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Example Sentences
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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
-
From the local culture and Incan history to the salt flats and volcanoes, there’s no shortage of opportunities to engage with nature.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Further west, Lombok offers volcanoes such as Rinjani, the Sasak culture, spectacular waterfalls, and tranquil beaches without the mass tourism of Bali.—
Wilson Santiago Burgos,
USA Today,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
So, why is this country in the midst of one of the greatest humanitarian crises in modern history?—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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But Venezuelans, having endured years of crises, know how to tackle adversity.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Scott was at a career crossroads.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The country’s democratic movement is at a crossroads.—
Michael Albertus,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tinderboxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderboxes. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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