What does scuttled mean?
“Scuttled” is the past tense and past participle of “scuttle,” a verb with several related but distinct meanings. Most commonly, it describes moving quickly in short, hurried steps, often furtively, as in a crab scuttling across a path or a person scuttling away from a crowd. It can also mean to run away or flee. In maritime contexts, “to scuttle a ship” means deliberately sinking or disabling it, usually to prevent its capture or continued use. The movement sense conveys speed, nervousness, and furtiveness rather than merely rapid walking. The maritime sense is more formal and evokes deliberate destruction. Although the forms are shared across senses, the noun “scuttle” also has its own established meanings, including a small fast-moving crab and a type of small open boat or hatch cover.
To move quickly and furtively in short, hurried steps.
"The mouse scuttled away when the cupboard door opened."
Often conveys a nervous, furtive, or hurried movement.
To run away or flee.
"The suspect scuttled into the alley and disappeared."
A somewhat informal alternative to “fled” or “escaped.”
To deliberately sink, disable, or destroy a ship.
"The captain ordered the crew to scuttle the damaged vessel."
A maritime term meaning to destroy a ship so that it cannot continue operating or be captured.
A ship can be scuttled in seconds, while the same word describes the hurried scurrying of a much smaller creature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scuttled come from?
The English word “scuttle” has long been used for both hurried movement and the deliberate sinking or disabling of a ship. Its precise origins are uncertain, and the different senses developed within English over time; modern dictionaries record the movement sense as older than the maritime sense.
Related word forms
How scuttled is actually used
The movement sense is informal but widely understood and often conveys a hurried, furtive, or nervous quality. In the maritime sense, the verb usually refers to deliberately sinking or disabling a ship, often by opening sea valves or setting fire to it.