molotov cocktail: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Journalistic, Military/Conflict
Quick answer
What does “molotov cocktail” mean?
A simple hand-thrown incendiary weapon, typically a glass bottle filled with flammable liquid and a fuel-soaked rag wick.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A simple hand-thrown incendiary weapon, typically a glass bottle filled with flammable liquid and a fuel-soaked rag wick.
Any improvised explosive or incendiary device used in protests, riots, or guerrilla warfare; symbolically, a metaphor for a crude but effective weapon of asymmetric conflict or radical opposition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical strong connotations of civil unrest, protest, or guerrilla tactics.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, primarily in news reporting on conflicts, protests, or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “molotov cocktail” in a Sentence
[Subject: protester/militant] + [Verb: threw/hurled] + a Molotov cocktail + [at/into: target]A Molotov cocktail + [Verb: exploded/smashed] + [Adverbial: against the wall/on the vehicle]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “molotov cocktail” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The building was Molotov-cocktailed by the rioters.
American English
- Protesters threatened to Molotov-cocktail the empty precinct.
adjective
British English
- They faced Molotov-cocktail attacks throughout the night.
American English
- The group had a Molotov-cocktail mentality, preferring crude, direct action.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The new policy was a Molotov cocktail for the market.'
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or conflict studies contexts to describe asymmetric warfare or civil unrest.
Everyday
Used in news discussions about protests or conflicts. Not typical in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in military, law enforcement, or security contexts to describe a specific type of improvised incendiary weapon (IED variant).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “molotov cocktail”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “molotov cocktail”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “molotov cocktail”
- Incorrect capitalisation ('molotov cocktail'), forgetting it's a proper noun. Misspelling as 'Molotov coctail'. Using in inappropriate formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'Molotov' is a proper name (from Vyacheslav Molotov), so it is typically capitalised, though informal usage sometimes uses lower case.
Yes, in informal/journalistic contexts, it can be used as a verb (e.g., 'to Molotov-cocktail a building'), meaning to attack with such a device.
They are synonyms. 'Petrol bomb' is a more generic descriptive term (common in UK English), while 'Molotov cocktail' is the specific historical term with its origin story.
In many jurisdictions, inciting violence or providing detailed instructions for creating weapons can have legal consequences. The term itself is not illegal, but context matters greatly.
A simple hand-thrown incendiary weapon, typically a glass bottle filled with flammable liquid and a fuel-soaked rag wick.
Molotov cocktail is usually informal, journalistic, military/conflict in register.
Molotov cocktail: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒl.ə.tɒf ˈkɒk.teɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmoʊ.lə.tɔːf ˈkɑːk.teɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Molotov cocktail of discontent (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Molotov COCKTAIL: Think of a dangerous, flaming cocktail you'd never want to drink, named after a Soviet official.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER/OPPOSITION IS FIRE; AN IMPROVISED SOLUTION IS A HOMEMADE WEAPON.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary historical origin of the term 'Molotov cocktail'?