cutthroat

1 of 2

noun

cut·​throat ˈkət-ˌthrōt How to pronounce cutthroat (audio)
Synonyms of cutthroatnext
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 of cutthroat

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Noun

Adjective

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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
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.
Noun
Grizzly bears sustained by seasonal cutthroat turned to elk calves for precious calories, according to research by ecologist Arthur Middleton, an associate professor at UC Berkeley. — Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026 Fly-fishers will find an extensive stretch of Gold Medal Water (a designation for quality and trout density) in Colorado, with access to browns, brookies, cutthroats, and rainbow trout. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Competition for the lottery is cutthroat, with more than 7 million applications submitted on the Housing Connect portal in 2025 for the 13,000 units advertised. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 Oct. 2026 The 2,444-acre reservoir is home to trophy-sized cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout, as well as northern pike. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cutthroat

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutthroat was in 1535

Phrases Containing cutthroat

Rhymes for cutthroat

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Browse Nearby Words

cut the mustard
cutthroat
cutthroat contract
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Cite this Entry

“Cutthroat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutthroat. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cutthroat

1 of 2 noun
cut·​throat ˈkət-ˌthrōt How to pronounce cutthroat (audio)
1
: a person likely to cut someone's throat
2
: a cruel person with no scruples

cutthroat

2 of 2 adjective
: ruthless
cutthroat competition
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