Tinderbox — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈtin-dər-ˌbäks/ tin·der·box

Meaning & Definition of Tinderbox

Tinderbox (noun)

  1. a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark
  2. a highly inflammable object or place
  3. a potentially explosive place or situation

Tinderbox (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a potentially explosive place or situation

    "officials sought to calm the situation, which had grown into a tinderbox"

    similar: flash point, powder keg, time bomb, volcano
    related: hot button, third rail

  2. 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"

    similar: boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, emergency, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, zero hour, moment of truth, point of no return
    related: contingency, possibility, climax, turning point, happening, landmark, milestone, condition, pass, situation, strait, deadlock, impasse, stalemate, corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, last ditch, pinch, predicament, scrape, spot, eleventh hour, last minute

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tinderbox

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tinderbox:

flash point, powder keg, time bomb, volcano, boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, emergency, exigency, extremity, head, juncture, zero hour, moment of truth, point of no return

Related Words for Tinderbox

hot button, third rail, contingency, possibility, climax, turning point, happening, landmark, milestone, condition, pass, situation, strait, deadlock, impasse, stalemate, corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, last ditch, pinch, predicament, scrape, spot, eleventh hour, last minute

Origin & Etymology of Tinderbox

First known use: 1530

Frequently Asked Questions about Tinderbox

What does "Tinderbox" mean?

"Tinderbox" means a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark. As a noun, it is defined as: a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tinderbox"?

Other words for "Tinderbox" include flash point, powder keg, time bomb, volcano, boiling point, breaking point, clutch and conjuncture. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tinderbox" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tinderbox"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tinderbox". Common alternatives include flash point, powder keg, time bomb, volcano, boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis and crossroad(s).

How do you use "Tinderbox" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tinderbox" in a sentence: "officials sought to calm the situation, which had grown into a tinderbox"; "while the country's prime minister was meeting with the U.S. president, a political tinderbox was igniting at home".

Is "Tinderbox" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Tinderbox" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Tinderbox"?

"Tinderbox" is pronounced /ˈtin-dər-ˌbäks/ and divided into syllables as tin·der·box.

What is the origin of the word "Tinderbox"?

First known use: 1530.

What is another word for "Tinderbox" meaning "a potentially explosive place or situation"?

When "Tinderbox" (noun) means a potentially explosive place or situation, synonyms include flash point, powder keg, time bomb and volcano.