cutthroat 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cutthroatnext
as in ruthless
not guided by or showing a concern for what is right cutthroat business practices intended to drive competitors out of business

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cutthroat

2 of 2

noun

ˈkət-ˌthrōt How to pronounce cutthroat (audio)
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cutthroat
Adjective
But that doesn’t necessarily translate to cutthroat competition within the psychedelics sector, Tsai said. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 19 July 2026 Soon enough, Karl’s seemingly foolproof blackmail scheme devolves into a merciless, dog-eat-dog fight for survival, and the two men are locked in a cutthroat collision course, their fates now inextricably linked. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Noun
Knowing the history of the cutthroat beer wars of the past is required to understand King Snedley’s unexpected appearance. — Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2026 The show, which follows the cutthroat lives of luxury real estate agents at The Oppenheim Group in Los Angeles, first premiered in 2019. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cutthroat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutthroat
  1. ruthless
  2. assassin
  3. immoral
  4. murderer
  5. corrupt
  6. killer
  7. unscrupulous
  8. unprincipled
Adjective
  • However, claiming his birthright means surviving the Renaissance’s most ruthless rival — his own family, who refuse to accept him.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The higher Arsenal climb, the finer those margins become, and the more ruthless Arteta and Arsenal may have to be.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruthless
Noun
  • Later, an assassin posing as River arrives at the home of David Cartwright (River’s grandfather) to kill him but is shot by David instead.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Clive Owen and other assassins pursue them through the streets of Europe.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of assassin
Adjective
  • When Russians embrace the Eurasian narrative, they are also engaged in the political project of rejecting Europe and the West, which Putin and his allies deride as decadent, declining, and immoral.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In the realms of art, literature, film, and television, words and images that would once have been considered indecent, offensive, or immoral are now commonplace, especially in the West.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of immoral
Noun
  • One woman picketed Doyle’s home with a sign branding him a murderer.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • For a certain type of person, having a terrible time at a party can feel like being pursued by an axe murderer.
    — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of murderer
Adjective
  • The duo and two others, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, were hit with the worst charges — felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and other related offenses.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Agostino Abbatiello, Thomas Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat are facing several felony charges, including corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
    — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Noun
  • Way stars in the series as the love interest of the serial killer played by Lola Petticrew.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But prosecutors say Bridegan’s killer knew his routine, too, and had planted the tire to lure him out of the car.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of killer
Adjective
  • Haroon said early examples were often crude, produced cheaply by struggling artists working for unscrupulous dealers.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Magneto’s methods of fighting violence with violence may have sometimes been unscrupulous, but his ideology was always compelling, to X-Men members and viewers alike.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of unscrupulous
Adjective
  • That doesn't enable cunning and unprincipled men to subvert the power of the people.
    — Lori A Bashian , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Ditto his despicable aides and Cabinet members, his unprincipled sycophants and suck-ups.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026
Definition of unprincipled

Browse Nearby Words

cut the mustard
cutthroat
cutthroats
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Cite this Entry

“Cutthroat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutthroat. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of cutthroat for Spanish Speakers

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