cut-throat
Britishnoun
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a person who cuts throats; murderer
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US name: straight razor. Also called: cut-throat razor. a razor with a long blade that usually folds into the handle
adjective
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bloodthirsty or murderous; cruel
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fierce or relentless in competition
cut-throat prices
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(of some games) played by three people
cut-throat poker
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So money is fleeing from software—a sector populated by public companies with traditionally high margins and deep moats—to AI model providers, an area dominated by lossmaking private companies engaged in cut-throat competition.
From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026
But with the rise of streaming, the popularity of high-end home cinema equipment, as well as cut-throat competition from deep-pocketed multiplex chains, the independents are facing an existential crisis.
From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025
Britain's Cameron Norrie - schooled in the cut-throat world of the US college system - also does not find a lack of an apology rude.
From BBC • Sep. 3, 2025
It is such a tough environment - cut-throat, really difficult.
From BBC • Aug. 23, 2025
He closed the cut-throat razor, put it down on the side of the sink, dabbed at his tiny cut with a toilet paper swab.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.