cutthroat

[ kuht-throht ]

/ ˈkʌtˌθroʊt /

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See synonyms for: cutthroat / cutthroats on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who cuts the throat of another; a murderer.

adjective

murderous.

ruthless: cutthroat competition.

pertaining to a game, as of cards, in which each of three or more persons acts and scores as an individual.

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Origin of cutthroat

First recorded in 1525–35; cut + throat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use cutthroat in a sentence

In this cockamamie get-rich scheme, would they all issue an apology if he cut a check?
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I took out my knife, my Ka-Bar, and knocked his teeth out, but they fell into his throat.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My understanding was that according to most Christian beliefs, being trans or gay was a sin, cut and dry.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen|Parker Molloy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Crew members had to cut through the ice on the streets to get shots.
Speed Read: The Juiciest Bits From the History of ‘Purple Rain’|Jennie Yabroff|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST

In response to the screen quota cut, South Korea established a “cinema tax” on the box office.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the "Y" Beach lot press their advantage they may cut off the enemy troops on the toe of the Peninsula.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
A sob rose in her throat, and broke from her lips transformed into a trembling, sharp, glad cry.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
At the reserve bank they may borrow as a standing right and not as a favor which may be cut off.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
It occurred to him then, for the first time, that a third resource was open—he might cut the rope, and let the kite go free!
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
My thought was to keep pushing in troops from "W" Beach until the enemy had fallen back to save themselves from being cut off.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for cutthroat

cut-throat

noun

a person who cuts throats; murderer

Also called: cut-throat razor British a razor with a long blade that usually folds into the handleUS name: straight razor

adjective

bloodthirsty or murderous; cruel

fierce or relentless in competitioncut-throat prices

(of some games) played by three peoplecut-throat poker

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012