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
Those teams are going to cannibalize each other somewhat the rest of the way, but a one- or two-loss AAC champ likely would be ranked higher by the playoff committee.
—
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Oct. 2025
This is a major difference from GLP-1 receptor agonists, which can cause the body to cannibalize lean mass, including muscle and bone.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Remember when there was widespread fear that AI would cannibalize Google Search?
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Ducatillion described the agreement with Pimkie and the promotion of Lhomme as a smokescreen to make the company appear supportive of the textiles and fashion industry, while simultaneously cannibalizing it.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Oct. 2025
This is a major difference from GLP-1 receptor agonists, which can cause the body to cannibalize lean mass, including muscle and bone.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Remember when there was widespread fear that AI would cannibalize Google Search?
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Ducatillion described the agreement with Pimkie and the promotion of Lhomme as a smokescreen to make the company appear supportive of the textiles and fashion industry, while simultaneously cannibalizing it.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize
Verb
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Guests can order the complimentary coffee in-bakery, through the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
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Israel currently allows the death penalty only in exceptional cases, including for crimes such as treason and war crimes committed under the Nazi regime, but it has not been used for decades.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the past, some efforts have already been made to recycle glass fiber.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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Each denim item incorporates 20 percent recycled cotton.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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