cutthroat

[kuht-throht]

noun

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

adjective

1. murderous.

2. ruthless.

   cutthroat competition.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutthroat¹

First recorded in 1525–35; cut + throat

Example Sentences

After four years of waiting tables and making forgettable movies, she decided she’d had enough of Los Angeles and its cutthroat competition.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Now, at 38 years old, he’s a national player in the cutthroat industry of political advertising.

Read more on Salon

Bryant, in turn, became Harrison’s template for what a true superstar looked like: a cutthroat competitor, a maniacal worker, someone who gave every ounce of effort every second.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There are also plans to adapt the cutthroat real estate board game “Monopoly” into a reality series.

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"This parasite didn't just survive the cutthroat Ordovician period, it thrived," Nanglu said.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• ferocious 
• vicious