cutthroat

1 of 2

noun

cut·​throat ˈkət-ˌthrōt How to pronounce cutthroat (audio)
Synonyms of cutthroatnext
1
2
: a cruel unprincipled person

cutthroat

2 of 2

adjective

1
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

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
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.
Noun
Whitesitt caught his state-record cutty there in mid-April, around the same time cutthroats in the northern Rockies are spawning in tributary streams. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 18 Mar. 2026 Starring Dayo Wong and Sammi Cheng, the story follows a stubborn manager and his cutthroat ex-wife who must join forces to save the business from a hostile corporate takeover. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The girls Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game at Worcester Ice Center followed suit with how a cutthroat MIAA girls hockey season unfolded, playing to a 3-2 shootout win with the North All-Stars edging out the South All-Stars on Sunday. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026 Since the Olympic break, Buffalo has gone 12-1-1 as part of a surge that became supercharged back in December and carried the Sabres all the way into first place in the cutthroat Atlantic Division. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cutthroat

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutthroat was in 1535

Cite this Entry

“Cutthroat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutthroat. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

cutthroat

1 of 2 noun
cut·​throat ˈkət-ˌthrōt How to pronounce cutthroat (audio)
1
: a person likely to cut someone's throat
2
: a cruel person with no scruples

cutthroat

2 of 2 adjective
: ruthless
cutthroat competition

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