Thesaurus results for TINDERBOX

tinderbox

noun

ˈtin-dər-ˌbäks

Definition of tinderbox

as in volcano

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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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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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 This year, Europe has been sweltering under an exceptionally hot and arid summer, with tinderbox conditions setting off unprecedented fires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate homes and vacation spots. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 As always with nuclear technology, worries about security, weapons proliferation and political complications in a tinderbox region have been central concerns. — Yousef Saba, USA Today, 22 July 2026 That was exacerbated by the extreme heat this year in France and Spain, which in many cases turned scrub grassland into a tinderbox. — Simon Constable, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026 Without a slow-melting blanket of snow to keep the soil and forests moist, alpine vegetation is drying into a tinderbox earlier than normal and ramping up the fire risk. — Jasmine Garland, The Conversation, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tinderbox

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinderbox

Noun

Hawaii, meanwhile, rightfully earns its place thanks to its dramatic terrain, with 25 active and dormant volcanoes—the most of any state in the study—as well as 543 waterfalls and Mauna Kea, one of the tallest mountain summits in the country.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
The man, whose name has not been confirmed by authorities, was hiking on the volcano when a powerful thunderstorm moved across the area.

— Anna Matranga, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of volcano

Noun

Paramount Skydance representatives are expected to meet on Monday with the California Attorney General’s office to discuss a potential settlement of the states’ antitrust case, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Mark Fowler, executive director of the Northwest Municipal Conference, said a similar situation occurred five to 10 years ago.

— Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of situation

Browse Nearby Words

tincturing

tinderbox

tinderboxes

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“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderbox. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tinderbox

noun

Example Sentences

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