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

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

Once the honeymoon phase ends and his status with Oliver is threatened, the cutthroat Matthew falls into an unhinged spiral to course correct and save himself from ever being an outsider again. —Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025

The teen comedy, which premiered on Aug. 25, 2000, is about the cutthroat world of competitive cheerleading. —Diane J. Cho, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Cuffy takes readers into the cutthroat world of ballet, where one wrong turn could literally change everything. —Lauren Morrow september 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025

The film tells the true story of two young men who journey from Scotland to America to test their mettle in the cutthroat world of hip-hop. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1565, 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