barracuda

bar·ra·cu·da

noun \ˌber-ə-ˈkü-də, ˌba-rə-\

plural bar·ra·cu·da or bar·ra·cu·das

Definition of BARRACUDA

1

: any of a genus (Sphyraena of the family Sphyraenidae) of elongate predaceous often large bony fishes of warm seas that includes food and sport fishes as well as some forms frequently causing ciguatera poisoning

2

: one that uses aggressive, selfish, and sometimes unethical methods to obtain a goal especially in business

Examples of BARRACUDA

1. The company's lawyers are a bunch of barracudas.
2. <the governor-elect is too nice and easygoing, so he'll need a barracuda as his chief of staff>

Origin of BARRACUDA

American Spanish

First Known Use: 1678

Related to BARRACUDA

Synonyms: pit bull, fire-breather, fire-eater, tiger

Antonyms: milquetoast

Related Words: attack dog, hatchet man; aggressor, bully, shark; go-getter, hustler, live wire, self-starter; battler, fighter, scrapper; diehard, militant

Near Antonyms: pushover, pussycat, reed, softy (or softie), weakling, wimp

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with BARRACUDA

Buxtehude