flamethrower

noun

flame·​throw·​er ˈflām-ˌthrō-ər How to pronounce flamethrower (audio)
1
: a device that expels from a nozzle a burning stream of liquid or semiliquid fuel under pressure
2
: a pitcher who throws hard : a fastball pitcher

Examples of flamethrower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These were obsolete light tanks fitted with flamethrowers or machineguns, but with no video camera so the operator had to control them from within line of sight. David Hambling, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 Most of his performances in the pros have come in the G League, and he’s been a flamethrower at that level. Tony East, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 And that was what Harlan inspired: a want for just a little bit of that courage, a little bit of that flamethrower heat. Jason Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2024 Lillard and Antetokounmpo, in theory, should have been the league’s most terrifying one-two punch—like pairing a flamethrower with a freight train. Brian Sampson, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flamethrower 

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flamethrower was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near flamethrower

Cite this Entry

“Flamethrower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flamethrower. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on flamethrower

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!