tinderbox

noun

tin·​der·​box ˈtin-dər-ˌbäks How to pronounce tinderbox (audio)
1
a
: a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark
b
: a highly inflammable object or place
2
: a potentially explosive place or situation

Examples of tinderbox in a Sentence

That old house is really a tinderbox. officials sought to calm the situation, which had grown into a tinderbox
Recent Examples on the Web In this tinderbox environment, when a tweet, press release, or even silence on a trending issue can ignite a firestorm, the stakes for CEOs have never been higher. Tracy Lawrence, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 The area around Shebaa has been a long-standing tinderbox. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024 Read more Spiking West Bank violence adds another front After almost a year of a brutal war with Hamas in Gaza, Israel is at the center of a tinderbox of multiple, interrelated Middle East conflicts. Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024 That includes talking with his guests about mismanagement of the natural world since Indigenous people were removed from the park, specifically how suppression of the low-severity fires that help maintain healthy forests has created a tinderbox. Karen Gardiner, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tinderbox 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tinderbox.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tinderbox was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near tinderbox

Cite this Entry

“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinderbox. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

tinderbox

noun
tin·​der·​box -ˌbäks How to pronounce tinderbox (audio)
1
: a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark
2
: something that can easily catch fire

More from Merriam-Webster on tinderbox

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