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

Head of Household at the time, poker player and all-around cutthroat gamer Vanessa Rousso chose to blindside her closest ally Austin Matelson by evicting him live on television. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 5 July 2025

With dreams of finally striking it rich, the duo plunges headfirst into a cutthroat race against rival fortune-seekers, opportunists and underworld figures. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025

Adjective

The cutthroat world of financial technology has a corporate espionage problem. —Troy Batterberry, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

The physical deprivation builds intense bonds that challenge the demands of the cutthroat strategic game. —Stephen Fishbach, Rolling Stone, 14 May 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