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
Not all acts of cannibalism had a spiritual side, however.
—
Avya Chaudhary, Discover Magazine, 3 June 2024
Illinois bass farmers, however, are losing profits due to a Hannibal Lector-esque snag: cannibalism.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Aug. 2024
Violence spread nationwide, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths: suicides, assaults, shootings, even cannibalism.
—Nick Frisch, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2016
The University of Newcastle told SWNS that Dr. Gould's recent observations have inspired ecologists to take a closer look at this cannibalism behavior.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for cannibalism 
Avya Chaudhary, Discover Magazine, 3 June 2024
Illinois bass farmers, however, are losing profits due to a Hannibal Lector-esque snag: cannibalism.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Aug. 2024
Violence spread nationwide, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths: suicides, assaults, shootings, even cannibalism.
—Nick Frisch, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2016
The University of Newcastle told SWNS that Dr. Gould's recent observations have inspired ecologists to take a closer look at this cannibalism behavior.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for cannibalism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cannibalism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cannibalism
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannibalism. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.
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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