cutthroats

word · lemma: cutthroat

Definition

People who are ruthless, cruel, or willing to harm others to achieve their goals. The word can mean literal killers or people who behave very aggressively in competition or business.

Usage & Nuances

Often describes ruthless people, not just literal killers. Used in both negative real and metaphorical business/game contexts. Common collocation: 'cutthroat competition.'

Example Sentences

The pirates were known as cutthroats.

basic

The city used to be full of cutthroats after dark.

basic

Be careful—those men are cutthroats.

basic

In this business, everyone acts like cutthroats to win.

natural

Don’t trust them; they’re a bunch of cutthroats out for themselves.

natural

The competition became so intense that the players turned into cutthroats.

natural