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
Mohamed Soliman admitted to the attack on the Pearl Street Mall in June 2025 during a demonstration in support of Israeli captives held by Hamas, throwing two Molotov cocktails at the group, killing one person and injuring more than a dozen others.
—
Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 8 May 2026
In early April, someone threw a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI’s C.E.O., Sam Altman; three nights later, two twentysomethings allegedly shot at the property.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Authorities said O’Connor approached the building on Feb. 12, threw two Molotov cocktails at it and lit the flammable liquid inside on fire.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
Police discovered him holding the device during the June protest, leading him to flee and discard the unlighted Molotov cocktail while holding a lighter.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for Molotov cocktail
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.
Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 8 May 2026
In early April, someone threw a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI’s C.E.O., Sam Altman; three nights later, two twentysomethings allegedly shot at the property.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Authorities said O’Connor approached the building on Feb. 12, threw two Molotov cocktails at it and lit the flammable liquid inside on fire.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
Police discovered him holding the device during the June protest, leading him to flee and discard the unlighted Molotov cocktail while holding a lighter.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for Molotov cocktail
Cite this Entry
“Molotov cocktail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Molotov%20cocktail. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
