scuttled
Americanadjective
-
(of a vessel) deliberately sunk, often by opening seacocks or making openings in the hull.
It is important to ensure that the scuttled vessel is suitably weighted and negatively buoyant so it will sink rapidly and remain stable on the bottom.
-
abandoned, dropped, cut, or thwarted, as a hope, plan, program, etc..
In the fallout over the scuttled deal, two executives were fired for ethical violations related to the negotiations.
verb
Etymology
Origin of scuttled
First recorded in 1740–50; scuttle 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; scuttle 1 ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
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.
By 1992, more than $50 million had been spent in restoration and renovation, but the project was scuttled by a bankruptcy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
The CEO’s dismissal scuttled any hopes of a quick reset.
From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026
The disclosure of the scuttled partnership came as Snap logged a narrower loss and higher revenue in its latest quarter, during which daily active users ticked up.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026
In that case, China scuttled a deal between MSC, Denmark’s A.P.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2025
“Yes, yes!” they said eagerly as they scuttled into the tunnel entrance.
From "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl
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.
