noun
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a box used formerly for holding tinder, esp one fitted with a flint and steel
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a person or thing that is particularly touchy or explosive
Etymology
Origin of tinderbox
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the January 17, 2026, print edition as 'ICE Surge, Protesters Turn Minneapolis Into a Tinderbox'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026
A performance by Tinderbox Orchestra with Kathryn Joseph at St Giles' Cathedral is expected to be one of the highlights.
From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025
Fieseler's debut book "Tinderbox" won seven awards, including the Edgar Award, and his reporting has appeared in Slate, Commonweal and River Teeth, among publications.
From Salon • Oct. 4, 2025
This led us to Tinderbox Kitchen, where we had what was undoubtedly the best meal of our whole road trip.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2023
Michael walked boldly enough toward Tinderbox Lane; and when he rang the bell of Mulberry Cottage not a qualm of sentiment assailed him.
From Sinister Street, vol. 2 by MacKenzie, Compton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
