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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tinderbox
Destructive protests occasionally flare, leading some analysts to observe that Latin American politics remains a tinderbox.
—
Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2023
Current weather conditions — including a severe lack of rainfall this year in Los Angeles — have created a tinderbox in the region.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Jan. 2025
Climate whiplash, made worse by our actions, created a tinderbox.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
East County regularly is blasted by high winds and hot temperatures, conditions that dry out brush and can create a tinderbox waiting for a spark.
—Karen Kucher, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tinderbox
Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2023
Current weather conditions — including a severe lack of rainfall this year in Los Angeles — have created a tinderbox in the region.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Jan. 2025
Climate whiplash, made worse by our actions, created a tinderbox.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
East County regularly is blasted by high winds and hot temperatures, conditions that dry out brush and can create a tinderbox waiting for a spark.
—Karen Kucher, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tinderbox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinderbox
Noun
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The world's largest solar telescope on top of the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii has used a new instrument that took 15 years to build to produce a spectacular first image of the sun.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The left image features the expansive Tharsis plateau and its chain of dormant volcanoes, including the colossal Olympus Mons, which can be seen towering above the Martian clouds.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The biggest challenges facing Fort Worth include the hiring of a new police chief during a mental health crisis that law enforcement is failing to address effectively.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
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The team averted a crisis on beam, with junior Jordan Bowers delivering a stellar routine after a fall from the prior athlete.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This situation is undoubtedly frightening and stressful for you as well.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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Three in 5 Ecuadorians say their personal security and economic situations have not improved under Mr. Noboa’s short first term in office.—
Mie Hoejris Dahl,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinderbox. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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