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
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
Landlords are lowering rents, raising concessions, and competing fiercely for tenants, even if that means cannibalizing older and less competitive developments.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
The conventional wisdom that all of these international contenders would cannibalize each other seems to have been misguided; with the Globes at least, this global roster appears to be lifting each other up.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
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
Landlords are lowering rents, raising concessions, and competing fiercely for tenants, even if that means cannibalizing older and less competitive developments.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
The conventional wisdom that all of these international contenders would cannibalize each other seems to have been misguided; with the Globes at least, this global roster appears to be lifting each other up.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program and over Tehran's crackdown on nationwide protests.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Discoverability, most people just use algorithms to find music nowadays.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That includes mapping the current innovation landscape by reviewing biobased and recycled elastane materials, alongside emerging separation and recycling technologies, to pinpoint gaps across the value chain.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
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Sort through your collection and recycle any hangers that are no longer in good shape, and check local ordinances to see which materials are accepted.—
Kaylei Fear,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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