Molotov cocktail

noun

Mo·​lo·​tov cocktail ˈmä-lə-ˌtȯf- How to pronounce Molotov cocktail (audio)
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
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Viewers can expect flying limbs, Molotov cocktails and stellar acting with laughs at every witty turn. Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025 The video also captured him throwing a Molotov cocktail, a homemade firebomb, at the ATM, which started a fire that ultimately caused significant damage to the bank’s structure. Ramal Nasim, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025 He is accused of targeting the group at a pedestrian mall, attacking them with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, according to a criminal complaint. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 July 2025 Authorities believe Bryant is the man captured on surveillance video throwing a Molotov cocktail through the window of the building, according to an arrest affidavit cited by the Denver Post and Colorado Public Radio (CPR). Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for Molotov cocktail

Word History

Etymology

Vyacheslav M. Molotov

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Molotov cocktail was in 1940

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Cite this Entry

“Molotov cocktail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Molotov%20cocktail. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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