barracuda

noun

bar·​ra·​cu·​da ˌber-ə-ˈkü-də 

ˌba-rə-

plural barracuda or barracudas

1

: any of a genus (Sphyraena of the family Sphyraenidae) of elongated 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

Synonyms of barracuda

• tiger

Examples of barracuda in a Sentence

The company's lawyers are a bunch of barracudas.

the governor-elect is too nice and easygoing, so he'll need a barracuda as his chief of staff

Recent Examples on the Web

There are optional add-ons like sea urchin, fatty tuna (o-toro) and barracuda, but chances are stomach real estate has become scarce, and the remaining three courses will close it down. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

And in coral reefs, unrelated fish seem to swap visual and chemical cues as protection against dangers such as hungry barracudas. —Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025

Anglers can cast from shore or launch from the park’s boat ramps in search of tarpon, snapper, or barracuda. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025

At just below 60 feet, Dickie’s Reef is a haven for barracuda, parrotfish, butterfly fish, crab and lobsters. —Adrienne Jordan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

barracuda

noun

bar·​ra·​cu·​da ˌbar-ə-ˈküd-ə 

plural barracuda or barracudas

: any of several large fierce marine fishes of warm seas that have strong jaws and sharp teeth and that include some used for food