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
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.
The two made eight Molotov cocktails before law enforcement arrested Heifler, according to investigators. CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 The suspect spent weeks planning the attack, eventually assembling Molotov cocktails and conducting surveillance of Kiswani’s residence, according to federal complaint documents. Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 Twelve people injured by a Molotov cocktail hurled at a free-the-hostages rally in Boulder, Colorado. David Frum, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 While the Finns work with them, officers point out that necessity has been the mother of Ukraine’s inventiveness in drones, making up for the country’s relative lack of mass infantry and heavy weaponry — just as Finns did with Molotov cocktails in the Winter War. Liam Denning, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026 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 7 Apr. 2026.

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