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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Ukraine’s fight began with soldiers setting tank traps on the streets of Kyiv and ordinary citizens making Molotov cocktails to defend their homes. Lloyd J. Austin Iii, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024 Advertisement Inside McGuire’s Mustang at the courthouse, deputies found ammunition, a flare gun and a box of fireworks, along with a shotgun, rifle, additional ammunition, a device believed to be a bomb and 10 Molotov cocktails, authorities said. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 The family says in the documents that Shea did not start the fire himself, did not deploy any incendiary devices like a Molotov cocktail and that the force used against him was excessive. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2024 Other allegations included hitting, kicking and dragging women by their hair as well as an instance of kidnapping at gunpoint and setting fire to someone’s car with a Molotov cocktail. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near Molotov cocktail

Cite this Entry

“Molotov cocktail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Molotov%20cocktail. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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