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

Agents and forensic experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recovered and analyzed key evidence from the Tesla attack, including Molotov cocktails allegedly used in the arson. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025

Owen McIntire, 19, of Parkville, allegedly made an incendiary device known as a Molotov cocktail and attempted to use it to set a fire at the Kansas City Tesla dealership on State Line Road on March 17. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2025

At times, mobs armed with swords and Molotov cocktails came looking for Muslims. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

According to court papers, law enforcement found an unbroken Molotov cocktail on March 17 next to a Cybertruck that was on fire. —Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 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