Molotov cocktail

noun

Mo·​lo·​tov cocktail ˈmä-lə-ˌtȯf- 

ˈmȯ-,

ˈmō-,

-ˌtȯv-

: a crude bomb made of a bottle filled with a flammable liquid (such as gasoline) and usually fitted with a wick (such as a saturated rag) that is ignited just before the bottle is hurled

Examples of Molotov cocktail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The protests have been largely peaceful, though some devolved into violence, with people throwing water bottles, cement, Molotov cocktails and other items at law enforcement officials. —Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Boulder Mohamed Soliman is accused of lobbing Molotov cocktails at a group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. —Susan Miller, USA Today, 19 June 2025

Alleged crimes include hurling a Molotov cocktail at sheriff’s deputies and throwing cinder blocks at federal law enforcement; others, however, are facing prison time for seemingly more minor skirmishes. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025

The mob attacked federal officers, including Border Patrol agents, with rocks and Molotov cocktails. —Rich Lowry, National Review, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Vyacheslav M. Molotov

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Molotov cocktail

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale