scuttled

American  

[skuht-ld] / ˈskʌt ld /

adjective

1. (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.

2. 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.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of scuttle.

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

He has scuttled rare disease drugs because, in his view, they aren’t worth the cost since they don’t cure all patients, even if they slow progression and reduce symptoms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Rising electricity prices are one reason data centers are facing a growing wave of local opposition, which has delayed or scuttled tens of billions of dollars worth of projects.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

The 52-strong German High Seas fleet was scuttled - deliberately sunk - by its crews in 1919 when the commander, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, mistakenly thought peace talks had failed.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2025

Years later, it would be revealed that the ship had been scuttled at sea and the crew picked up by the French nuclear submarine Rubis.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

“Yes, yes!” they said eagerly as they scuttled into the tunnel entrance.

From "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

• scamper
• scurry