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
• homicide
• killer
• manslayer
• murderer

Adjective

• immoral
• Machiavellian
• unconscionable
• unethical
• unprincipled
• unscrupulous

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

By providing affordable housing and a vibrant community, these spaces enable entrepreneurs to thrive in an otherwise cutthroat and expensive market. —Lisa Setyon, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2024

In 1973, a young Trump met Roy Cohn — a cutthroat (and controversial) New York City attorney known for having friends in very high places. —Samantha Stutsman, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2024

Adjective

Having owner Mark Iacono’s number. 21. K-12 SCHOOL With a mass of Hollywood celebs raising families in Brooklyn, competition for exclusive private schools has become cutthroat — nowhere more than at the nepo-baby magnet that is Saint Ann’s, the Harvard-Westlake of the East (for pre-K and up). —Mark Ellwood, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Sep. 2024

The story follows a video game developer, Kevin Flynn (Bridges), who is unwittingly zapped into a cutthroat digital universe. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 10 Aug. 2024

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

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