cannibalism
noun
can·ni·bal·ism
ˈka-nə-bə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind
3
: an act of cannibalizing something
Examples of cannibalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Later archeological research, including forensic examination of skeletal remains, has turned up no evidence for cannibalism or for a particularly bellicose society on Rapa Nui.
—
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Humanities scholar Leon Kass famously argued that human reproductive cloning is repugnant — akin to cannibalism or bestiality.
—Zubin Master, STAT, 20 Jan. 2026
Meiwes later said his cannibalism was driven by a lifelong desire to absorb another person into himself.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
That approach enables the whole thing to play out like Cena appearing in an advertisement for the Others’ ideology and to smile through the fundamental ickiness of what the Others are explaining to Carol through their cannibalism PSA.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalism
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Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Humanities scholar Leon Kass famously argued that human reproductive cloning is repugnant — akin to cannibalism or bestiality.
—Zubin Master, STAT, 20 Jan. 2026
Meiwes later said his cannibalism was driven by a lifelong desire to absorb another person into himself.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
That approach enables the whole thing to play out like Cena appearing in an advertisement for the Others’ ideology and to smile through the fundamental ickiness of what the Others are explaining to Carol through their cannibalism PSA.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalism
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannibalism. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cannibalism
noun
can·ni·bal·ism
ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌliz-əm
1
: the eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind
Medical Definition
cannibalism
noun
can·ni·bal·ism
-bə-ˌliz-əm
1
: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh or the eggs of any animal by its own kind
3
: the pecking and tearing of the live flesh of its own members in a domestic poultry flock compare pecking order
4
: oral sadism
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