firebomb

noun

fire·​bomb ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbäm How to pronounce firebomb (audio)
: an incendiary bomb
firebomb transitive verb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Anarchist came in and firebombs with Molotov cocktails the Cop City site in Atlanta. Tirhakah Love, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2023 For two years, the Qisrawi family says, settlers living on a nearby hillside have terrorized them, surrounding their home, throwing rocks and firebombs and trying to climb over the wall outside. Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023 His arrest came almost a year after Roychowdhury allegedly tossed a pair of Molotov cocktails into the Wisconsin Family Action office in Madison on May 8 One of the firebombs failed to ignite; the other set a bookcase on fire. Claire Law, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Mar. 2023 One of the firebombs failed to ignite; the other set a bookcase on fire. Todd Richmond, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Mar. 2023 For three months the Triple Nickles extinguished 36 fires and disarmed or destroyed an untold number of floating firebombs, suffering only 30 injuries and a single fatality. Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2023 As other publications fell in line with Beijing’s messaging, toning down their critical coverage after being snatched up by buyers with mainland connections, Apple Daily remained defiant, despite advertising boycotts, firebomb attacks, and threats to its journalists. Rachel Cheung, The Atlantic, 24 June 2021 In connection with a Sept. 23 incident, he’s accused of throwing a firebomb that scorched the uniform and lower leg of Portland police Officer Dustin Barth at a demonstration downtown, near the intersection of Southwest Second Avenue and Main Street, according to Vasquez. oregonlive, 1 June 2021 One Palestinian said to be throwing a firebomb was killed by Israeli police in the occupied West Bank, while a Palestinian stabbed a police officer in Jerusalem’s Old City and was then shot and killed by Israeli forces. Tia Goldenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Nov. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'firebomb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of firebomb was in 1685

Dictionary Entries Near firebomb

Cite this Entry

“Firebomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firebomb. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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