Bloodthirsty or murderous (3-6) Crossword Clue
Answer: CUT-THROAT (9 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Bloodthirsty or murderous" with 9 letters is "CUT-THROAT".Cut-throat describes someone who is ruthlessly aggressive, violent, or willing to kill, often used metaphorically for extremely competitive or unscrupulous behavior. The term conveys a sense of danger and mercilessness, whether in literal violence or in intense competition.
Why “Cut-Throat” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (3-6) meaning “bloodthirsty or murderous.” The answer, CUT-THROAT, fits exactly:
- Bloodthirsty or murderous: Cut-throat is an adjective used to describe a person, situation, or competition that is ruthlessly aggressive, violent, or willing to cause harm to succeed.
- Direct match: With enumeration (3-6), cut-throat perfectly fits the clue’s structure.
- Precise meaning: In its literal sense, it refers to someone capable of killing; figuratively, it is widely used for extreme ruthlessness in both violent and competitive contexts.
The term cut-throat has both literal historical roots and modern figurative usage:
- Origin and usage: Dates back to the 16th century, literally describing a murderer who kills by slitting the throat. Over time, it became an idiom for aggressive or merciless behavior.
- Contexts: Common in descriptions of severe competition in business, politics, sports, and dangerous personal situations.
- Examples: “It’s a cut-throat industry where only the strongest survive,” or “The pirates were a band of cut-throat criminals.”
Quick crossword clues like “bloodthirsty or murderous (3-6)” often point to expressive compound adjectives:
- Alternatives such as cold-blooded (4-8) may surface, but cut-throat is shorter, more vivid, and matches the 3-6 enumeration perfectly.
- The dual nature of the clue — literal and figurative — aligns with the versatility of cut-throat in English usage.
- With its sharp imagery, perfect structure, and strong meaning, cut-throat is the correct crossword solution.
