as in to use
to remove parts from a machine, car, etc., to repair or build another one
He cannibalized one washing machine to fix another. Many parts of the engine were cannibalized from older cars.
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Recent Examples of cannibalize
For Toyota to possibly cannibalize Tacoma performance for the sake of a new, likely lower-margin model seems trivial at best.
—
Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
The beatdown on Alphabet shares came despite better-than-forecast revenue growth that indicates the company’s advertising sales are in no way being cannibalized by consumer adoption of AI, including its own Gemini AI chatbot and its AI Mode in Google Search.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
American health care costs are cannibalizing the economy.
—Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026
The Post’s second bet is on the viability of text at a moment when fewer people are reading articles online, and as tech platforms are cannibalizing search traffic and directing users away from news.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
The beatdown on Alphabet shares came despite better-than-forecast revenue growth that indicates the company’s advertising sales are in no way being cannibalized by consumer adoption of AI, including its own Gemini AI chatbot and its AI Mode in Google Search.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
American health care costs are cannibalizing the economy.
—Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026
The Post’s second bet is on the viability of text at a moment when fewer people are reading articles online, and as tech platforms are cannibalizing search traffic and directing users away from news.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize
Verb
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There are no fitness facilities, but guests are welcome to use Surin's large gym and a sauna just a short shuttle ride away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Taylor, the policing expert, said a PIT maneuver is a strong tool, but should be used sparingly.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At the end of two years, the bamboo charcoal can be recycled into your garden.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The new manufacturing process uses 50% less aluminium, 90% of which is recycled.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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