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
What’s interesting about music’s growth is that innovation hasn’t cannibalized older revenue streams.
—
Kristin Westcott Grant, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Aron had company at CinemaCon, where exhibition executives argued the new distribution models cannibalize their business.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
In comments at the Morgan Stanley media conference, the Fox CEO was again extremely careful to stress that the goal is not to cannibalize linear television and Fox will not advertise it on linear television but is meant purely to capture those who cut the cord or have never subscribed to cable.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025
Market leaders must be willing to challenge their own business models, even at the risk of cannibalizing existing revenue streams.
—David Michels, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Kristin Westcott Grant, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Aron had company at CinemaCon, where exhibition executives argued the new distribution models cannibalize their business.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
In comments at the Morgan Stanley media conference, the Fox CEO was again extremely careful to stress that the goal is not to cannibalize linear television and Fox will not advertise it on linear television but is meant purely to capture those who cut the cord or have never subscribed to cable.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025
Market leaders must be willing to challenge their own business models, even at the risk of cannibalizing existing revenue streams.
—David Michels, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize
Verb
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Mangione handed arriving officers a fake New Jersey ID that was used at the New York City hostel days earlier and was subsequently arrested.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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The bonus will also be available to use for Game 3 between the Lakers and Timberwolves in Minnesota.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Together, these efforts illustrate how artificial intelligence is reshaping waste management globally, making recycling more efficient, sustainable and impactful.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Will, who works for an environmental nonprofit, argues that humans won’t be able to recycle their way out of the crisis and that harping on personal responsibility only lets corporate perpetrators off the hook.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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