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

And rather than a cutthroat competition of cadences and choreography, this show is more about scholarship. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026

Prison overseers intended the yards to be safe havens from the cutthroat prison politics that beset most main yards. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Casino Royale introduced James Bond fans to a darker, more cutthroat 007 played by Daniel Craig. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026

As with many reality series hailing from the late aughts, history has not looked too kindly upon cutthroat competition show America’s Next Top Model, a fact long acknowledged by host and supermodel Tyra Banks. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 Jan. 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