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 of cutthroat

Noun

• assassin
• murderer
• killer

Adjective

• ruthless
• immoral
• corrupt
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled

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

Fly-fishers will find an extensive stretch of Gold Medal Water (a designation for quality and trout density) in Colorado, with access to browns, brookies, cutthroats, and rainbow trout. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026

These teams then acted in cutthroat ways to buy out or otherwise dump them, however, when their play declined. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Adjective

Good says all of this is helping GE Appliances thrive despite the cutthroat competition. — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Amid the stresses of the Arctic, scientists are rethinking the idea that all life is a cutthroat competition with winners and losers. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cutthroat

• cutthroat contract
• cutthroat trout

Rhymes for cutthroat

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• demote
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote
• greatcoat

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