as in ruthless
not guided by or showing a concern for what is right
cutthroat business practices intended to drive competitors out of business
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in assassin
a person who kills another person
while traveling the ancient Silk Road, traders were constant prey to cutthroats and thieves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cutthroat
Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
While the message from founders blissed out on 180 degree heat is one of bringing together community and good vibes, the reality can be cutthroat.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Dennis-Yarmouth, Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard round out a cutthroat Cape and Islands League.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cutthroat
Adjective
Succession For those who love the gritty, cutthroat business world of Landman, HBO’s Succession is a must-watch.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
While the message from founders blissed out on 180 degree heat is one of bringing together community and good vibes, the reality can be cutthroat.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Dennis-Yarmouth, Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard round out a cutthroat Cape and Islands League.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cutthroat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutthroat
Adjective
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For the first time, the defense attorney becomes the defendant, forced to fight for his own freedom while facing off against ruthless prosecutor Dana Berg (Constance Zimmer).—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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And, as part of the deal, city planners aim to update development protocols to meet the challenges of a more ruthless wildfire regime.—
Mark Dee
January 27,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Miller called him an assassin on social media; Vice President JD Vance reposted the message.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The 384-page hardcover focuses on the game's main antagonist, crime lord Jaylen Vrax, and his intimidating assassin droid ND-5.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.—
Mark Pinkert,
Oc Register,
23 Dec. 2025
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The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Noun
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On Monday, a jury found Townsend guilty of endangerment and concealing a homicide, but the murderer is still out there.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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What starts as a hunt for a murderer escalates into an undercover operation to foil a far-right bomb plot in the heart of London.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In its sophomore season, Cross is in pursuit of a ruthless vigilante who is hunting down corrupt billionaire magnates.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
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That eye-popping price looked less like an investment and more like a hefty tribute offered up to a corrupt strongman.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder (2003) used the serial killer genre to explore the country’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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He’s supposed to be this mastermind serial killer, always one step ahead, always so smart and devious and charismatic.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In 2023, one driver told The Post that word of the program — which could net unscrupulous drivers thousands of dollars each day — was passed along by word of mouth.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
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Kyle goes to prison in what appears to be a selfless act to protect the Kingstown Police Department from the prosecution at the risk of their unscrupulous tactics being exposed, and protecting his brother Mike.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the past, that’s opened small businesses to frivolous lawsuits filed by unprincipled lawyers that file massive lawsuits and offer quick settlements.—
Erica Goldstein,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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Rule by ‘ambitious, and unprincipled men’ Partisanship is the primary problem for the American republic, according to Washington.—
Robert A. Strong,
The Conversation,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cutthroat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutthroat. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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