Skip to main content
flamethrower

flamethrower

24 7.5
A weapon that shoots burning fuel to set things on fire from far away
  • noun
  • /ˈfleɪmˌθroʊər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lanzallamas
  • He demonstrated how to operate a flamethrower safely during the training session.
  • flamethrower fire
  • flamethrower tank
  • homemade flamethrower

All right, guys, we got not one but two flamethrowers here.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • It's a flamethrower. The fiery tongue shoots up towards the roof of the cave.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "The situation is so dire that residents can legally attach small flamethrowers to cars to repel carjackers."

    Blog text (33)
  • Is this a this a flamethrower that could cause a huge fire?

  • Watch out for the flamethrower!

  • Next time I go anywhere, I plan on packing a flamethrower, just in case.

    Blog text (15)
  • The flamethrower fires again, scorching the rock wall, filling the cave with a pall of smoke.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The Marines said enough of that and cleared out the caves systematically with flamethrowers until they heard crying children.

    Blog text (11)
  • Like an impromptu flamethrower, the nozzle spews a twenty-foot jet of fire which engulfs the T-Bird in an instant.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The soldiers advanced with a flamethrower, ready to clear the enemy's stronghold.

  • The movie featured an intense scene where a flamethrower was used to ignite a massive fire.

Synonyms

Molotov cocktail
vsflamethrower
  • Offensive
9 8.1

A bottle filled with liquid and a rag people light and throw to start fires

uses a continuous burning stream to reach targets rather than a thrown bottle
firebomb
vsflamethrower
  • Offensive
7 6.6

A bomb that starts fires, often used against buildings or fuel

throws or sends a burning fuel stream to reach distant targets
incendiary device
vsflamethrower
  • Specialized
6 7.3

A weapon made to start fires using chemicals

projects burning fuel in a stream to ignite distant targets
flamer
vsflamethrower
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A device like a blowtorch or flamethrower that makes a strong, directed flame

projects a continuous burning stream to set targets on fire at distance
incendiary
vsflamethrower
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A device made to start fires in buildings or fuel stores

emits burning fuel in a stream to burn targets from distance
gasoline bomb
vsflamethrower
  • NSFW
1 7.4

A simple weapon that uses a bottle of gasoline and a cloth wick to start fires

projects burning fuel continuously instead of relying on a thrown ignition bottle

How Powerful

incendiary
  • Specialized
1 8.5
flamethrower
  • Specialized
24 7.5
blowtorch
  • Specialized
16 4.6
lighter
15 1.3

Surface Forms

flamethrower singular
flamethrowers plural

Morphology

flamethrower = flame + thrower (transparent) = flame + throw + er

The word is a straightforward compound of 'flame' and 'thrower' (a device/person that throws), so its meaning is directly inferable.

Etymology

Flamethrower is made from the words flame ('fire') and thrower ('one who throws'). Think of it as a tool that 'throws' fire forward, which is why the word means a weapon that sends burning fuel a long way.