cutthroat

1 of 2

noun

cut·​throat ˈkət-ˌthrōt 

1

: killer, murderer

2

: a cruel unprincipled person

cutthroat

2 of 2

adjective

1

: murderous, cruel

2

: marked by unprincipled practices : ruthless

cutthroat competition

3

: characterized by each player playing independently rather than having a permanent partner

—used especially of partnership games adapted for three players

cutthroat bridge

Synonyms

Noun

• assassin
• homicide
• killer
• manslayer
• murderer

Adjective

• immoral
• Machiavellian
• unconscionable
• unethical
• unprincipled
• unscrupulous

Examples of cutthroat in a Sentence

Noun

while traveling the ancient Silk Road, traders were constant prey to cutthroats and thieves

Adjective

cutthroat business practices intended to drive competitors out of business

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While some on Wall Street have expressed skepticism on whether massive investments in AI are translating to the bottom line, the tech sector is locked in a cutthroat race to be first on the scene with the latest advances in AI. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2024

When their cutthroat personalities spill off the rink, the pair come up with a friends-with-benefits bet to see who will fold first: Sam, the playboy who heads the men's team, or Aderyn, on the women's team, who is more of a relationship kind of girl. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Cruel Intentions follows the elite students of Manchester College, where two ruthless step-siblings will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy, including seducing the daughter of the vice-president of the United States. —Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

The car-wash business is cutthroat and competitive, and so is the business of entertaining the world. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cutthroat

• cutthroat contract
• cutthroat trout

Kids Definition

cutthroat

1 of 2 noun

cut·​throat ˈkət-ˌthrōt 

1

: a person likely to cut someone's throat

2

: a cruel person with no scruples

cutthroat

2 of 2 adjective

: ruthless

cutthroat competition