tinderbox

American  

[tin-der-boks] / ˈtɪn dərˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box for holding tinder, usually fitted with a flint and steel.

2. a person or thing that is highly excitable, explosive, inflammable, etc.; a potential source of widespread violence.

   Berlin was the tinderbox of Europe.

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tinderbox British  

/ ˈtɪndəˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box used formerly for holding tinder, esp one fitted with a flint and steel

2. a person or thing that is particularly touchy or explosive

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Etymology

Origin of tinderbox

First recorded in 1520–30; tinder + box ¹

Example Sentences

Daiwa Capital Markets economist Lawrence Werther doesn’t think an inflation tinderbox is waiting to ignite in 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

He noted that the conference in Davos, which assembled business and political elites, was notable by how fearful the participants were to speak out, a tinderbox.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

The fires may be mostly started by humans, but they have been made worse by Brazil’s worst-ever drought, which has turned the normally damp vegetation into a dry tinderbox.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2024

But their countryside retreat is another kind of tinderbox.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2024

“Take it, but leave yours. The same for you, Witkins. Leave your old tinderbox if you’re taking his.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss