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

Amid cutthroat competition and price matching, Mr McDonnell believes the shopping experience is just as important as the price to keep pulling customers in.

From BBC

He mentored the young Donald Trump in the ways of the world of business and politics and Trump took to his cutthroat philosophy very naturally.

From Salon

He voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 because he found Trump offensive: “I thought she would do a great job. She’s cutthroat.”

From Los Angeles Times

Most put the blame on Hollywood, which is not only a notoriously cutthroat and exploitative industry, but also the birthplace of so many collective nightmares thanks to decades of horror films.

From Los Angeles Times

In China over the past few years, a stagnating economy and a cutthroat job market have given rise to an entirely new lexicon to talk about modern-day burnout.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ferocious
• vicious