CUTTHROAT Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

cutthroat 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cutthroat

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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cutthroat

2 of 2

noun

ˈkət-ˌthrōt

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

The Netflix series from Rebecca Cutter starring Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow, who lead a cutthroat yet soapy set of Texas housewives, has nabbed a season three renewal ahead of season two’s return. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 The story plays out in New York’s cutthroat acting scene, where a talented Indian actor chasing his craft falls under the sway of Keitel’s teacher. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Noun

Coming off a cutthroat season that drew the most viewers back to the program in a decade, the competition coming this fall is already gearing up to be one for the books. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for cutthroat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutthroat

Adjective

Why would Trump choose to support Putin in his ruthless efforts in Ukraine?

— Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
The stump itself won’t damage buried water lines, per se, but the roots can be ruthless with pipes.

— Steven John, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruthless

Noun

The Democratic presidential front-runner had just finished his California primary victory speech — thanking Chávez and Huerta — when an assassin gunned him down.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Nearly all of those 80 teams had a wing player who was either a prolific scorer, an in-his-prime All-Star, an accomplished floor general or a skilled shot creator/late-game assassin.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of assassin

Adjective

Hollywood called out as immoral as studio puts paying viewers in charge of the screen.

— , FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Convince people that an innocent person represents an existential threat, furnish them with a frightening conspiracy theory about an immoral enemy, and some may become willing to kill.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of immoral

Noun

More than 40 years later, no efforts have been made to prosecute or extradite the presumptive murderers.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2026
Alongside her scientifically credible poisoning scenarios, numerous doctors and pharmacists appear in Christie’s novels — sometimes as victims, other times as murderers — showing how her early brushes with the world of medicine never left her mind.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of murderer

Adjective

Many progressives, led by Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, also believe that a global oligarchy poses a threat to democracy and see big business in defense, technology, and finance as part of a corrupt system.

— THOMAS WRIGHT, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Donalds is just another gear in the Republican engine that is beholden to the wealthy the powerful and the corrupt — all at the expense of working-class Floridians.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Noun

The woman known for her killer body and revealing outfits did have a request, however.

— Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
In Wes Craven’s 1986 sci-fi/grindhouse romp Deadly Friend, the killer android at the heart of the action obliterates a curmudgeonly old lady’s skull with a basketball.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of killer

Adjective

Some agents joined the unscrupulous agent and formed a sub-colony of cheaters.

— Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
The district judge confined Biddy and most of the Black children in the county jail, ostensibly for their own protection from their unscrupulous enslaver.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of unscrupulous

Adjective

His vote is of no more worth than that of any unprincipled foreigner or hireling native, who may have been bought.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
To avoid being a mark for unprincipled lenders, borrowers shouldn’t rush into refinancing without considering all their choices.

— Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026