cutthroat

USAGE SUMMARY

'cutthroat' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that is used to describe someone or something that is very competitive or aggressive, often in a business context. For example, "He was a cutthroat investor, always looking for any advantage he could find."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't imagine that your minor degree of fame in academic economics can carry over to the cutthroat world of comics.

The Economist

Do they believe that cutthroat negotiators are more prevalent in the Middle East than in Manhattan or Washington?In any case, Mr Dubowitz apparently doesn't think Mr Obama should be offering Iran concessions on sanctions in exchange for negotiating to restrict its nuclear programme.

The Economist

But Goldman's reputation as a cutthroat international investment bank caused an overnight political furore.

The Economist

Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, advocates improving the national grasp of English in order to keep Britain "ahead of the chasing pack .The global race trope appeals for several reasons: including, to give the Tories their due, because international competition is occasionally of the cutthroat kind they describe.

The Economist

In the Premier League's cutthroat economic environment, whichever club figures out how to apply it best the soonest will enjoy an enviable advantage.

The Economist

These "emerging markets"—a term encompassing wealthy South Korea as well as dirt-poor Kenya had everything rich countries were thought to lack: brisk economic growth, soaring financial markets, obedient workers and less cutthroat competition for business.

The Economist

Many cutthroat trout migrate to sea when it can be reached.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pinochle, American card game typically played by three players acting alone (cutthroat) or four players in two partnerships.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2013 Spacey began a starring role as a cutthroat U.S. congressman from South Carolina in the political drama House of Cards, an episodic series created for Netflix and distributed via the company's online streaming-video service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lake is also prized for trout fishing, although the native cutthroat trout are now endangered by introduced predators, notably lake trout.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For decades Yellowstone's waterways were stocked with fish including three indigenous sport species (cutthroat trout, Arctic grayling, and Rocky Mountain whitefish) and several nonnative species (mainly trout)—but that practice was ended in the 1950s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In specific contexts like fly fishing or gaming, ensure the noun it modifies (e.g., "trout", "pinochle") is present to avoid confusion with the competitive adjective.

Common error

Avoid using "cutthroat" as a verb. While it sounds like an action, it is strictly an adjective or a noun. Additionally, do not hyphenate it as "cut-throat" in modern American English, as the single-word form is now standard in major publications like The New Yorker and The Economist.

Linguistic Context

The word "cutthroat" functions primarily as an adjective in modern English, typically used to describe competition that is intense, aggressive and potentially devoid of ethical considerations. It is often found in the attributive position, directly preceding the noun it modifies (e.g., "cutthroat world"). Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly usable term in professional writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "cutthroat" is a robust and evocative adjective essential for describing the most intense levels of competition. Whether you are analyzing the "cutthroat" world of high finance or discussing the biological traits of the "cutthroat" trout, the word carries a weight of authority. Ludwig AI demonstrates that the term is favored by elite publications to denote a lack of mercy and extreme stakes. When writing, remember to use it to highlight environments where the margin for error is non-existent and the competition is unyielding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dog-eat-dog

adds a more idiomatic and cynical tone to the description of competitive environments

ruthless

shifts the focus specifically to the lack of pity or moral restraint shown by a person

merciless

emphasizes the cruelty and absolute lack of forgiveness in the competition

unscrupulous

highlights the lack of ethical principles or honesty rather than just the intensity

vicious

suggests a level of physical or metaphorical violence and malice

fierce

provides a slightly more neutral but still high-intensity descriptor for competition

cut-and-thrust

uses a fencing metaphor to describe the lively and aggressive nature of a debate or business

aggressive

offers a more common and less extreme way to describe a bold competitive stance

high-stakes

focuses on the risks and potential losses rather than the behavior of the participants

predatory

implies that one party is actively seeking to exploit or destroy others for gain

FAQs

How to use "cutthroat" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a harsh environment, such as: "The Silicon Valley startup scene is known for its "cutthroat" competition." Ludwig AI examples show it is frequently used in business and politics.

What can I say instead of "cutthroat"?

Depending on your context, you could use "<a href="/s/dog-eat-dog" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dog-eat-dog", "<a href="/s/ruthless" target="_blank" rel="alternative">ruthless", or "<a href="/s/vicious" target="_blank" rel="alternative">vicious".

Is "cutthroat" always a negative word?

Generally, yes, when describing behavior or business. However, it is a neutral term when referring to the "<a href="/s/cutthroat+trout" target="_blank" rel="alternative">cutthroat trout" or a specific three-player variant of games like "<a href="/s/cutthroat+pool" target="_blank" rel="alternative">cutthroat pool".

What is the difference between "cutthroat" and "ruthless"?

"cutthroat" usually describes an environment or a system of competition, while "<a href="/s/ruthless" target="_blank" rel="alternative">ruthless" more often describes the specific personality or actions of an individual.