CUTTHROAT Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

cutthroat 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cutthroat

as in ruthless

not guided by or showing a concern for what is right cutthroat business practices intended to drive competitors out of business

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cutthroat

2 of 2

noun

ˈkət-ˌthrōt

as in assassin

a person who kills another person while traveling the ancient Silk Road, traders were constant prey to cutthroats and thieves

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of cutthroat

Adjective

The story plays out in New York’s cutthroat acting scene, where a talented Indian actor chasing his craft falls under the sway of Keitel’s teacher. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 Economists expect Beijing to lean harder on stimulus to stabilize corporate profitability, as consolidation accelerates in sectors already facing sluggish demand, fierce competition and cutthroat price wars. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

Coming off a cutthroat season that drew the most viewers back to the program in a decade, the competition coming this fall is already gearing up to be one for the books. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026 Knowing the history of the cutthroat beer wars of the past is required to understand King Snedley’s unexpected appearance. — Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cutthroat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutthroat

Adjective

Today, it is widely known that coal miners of the 19th and early 20th centuries experienced ruthless exploitation and hazardous working conditions.

— Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Involuntary bumping is more ruthless, denying boarding to passengers in a joyless game of musical plane seats.

— Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruthless

Noun

Celaena won the tournament and is now working for the king as his main assassin.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
Instead, Cartwright returns to his deceased grandfather’s home thrilled to see that Baker has successfully evaded both the Russian assassins and MI5’s own rabid dogs.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of assassin

Adjective

Convince people that an innocent person represents an existential threat, furnish them with a frightening conspiracy theory about an immoral enemy, and some may become willing to kill.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
In those cases, your cause is so just that you are warranted to be immoral in protecting it.

— Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of immoral

Noun

That’s because Kansas City’s five victories haven’t exactly come against a murderer’s row of opponents.

— Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Here, however, the show pulls a fast one, revealing that the murderer isn’t Pam, but instead a young girl named Grace (Gwendolyn Sundstrom).

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of murderer

Adjective

Meanwhile, Democrats are strongly opposed to the kind of corrupt authoritarian government that Republicans seem unwilling to even speak out against.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The policy aims to make cadres more disciplined, effective and less corrupt.

— KANIS LEUNG, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Adjective

Some agents joined the unscrupulous agent and formed a sub-colony of cheaters.

— Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
The district judge confined Biddy and most of the Black children in the county jail, ostensibly for their own protection from their unscrupulous enslaver.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of unscrupulous

Adjective

To avoid being a mark for unprincipled lenders, borrowers shouldn’t rush into refinancing without considering all their choices.

— Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
That doesn't enable cunning and unprincipled men to subvert the power of the people.

— Lori A Bashian , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026