tinderbox
noun
tin·der·box
ˈtin-dər-ˌbäks 
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
Instead, about 600 people desperate for affordable accommodation were squatting in the five-story building, creating a tinderbox that would lead to one of the deadliest residential fires in South Africa’s recent history.
—
Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 6 May 2024
But underneath the façade of the perfect family is a tinderbox of competition and resentment that’s ignited when Theo’s professional dreams come crashing down.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 1 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tinderbox 
Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 6 May 2024
But underneath the façade of the perfect family is a tinderbox of competition and resentment that’s ignited when Theo’s professional dreams come crashing down.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 1 Apr. 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.
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Cite this Entry
“Tinderbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinderbox. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tinderbox
noun
tin·der·box
-ˌbäks
1
: a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark
2
: something that can easily catch fire
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