CANNIBALIZE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

cannibalize

verb

Definition of cannibalize

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cannibalize Nakano says both companies were uncertain whether free distribution would feed the subscription service or cannibalize it. — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Ensembles of this size historically cannibalize their own campaigns, splitting supporting votes into confetti. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 July 2026 Just as a host shouldn’t cannibalize their guests, guests shouldn’t overstay their welcome—which is exactly what the suitors courting Penelope do. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026 By 1816, gun manufacturer Simeon North’s milling machines were producing interchangeable metal parts, allowing the armed forces to cannibalize parts. — Guru Madhavan, IEEE Spectrum, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cannibalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize

Verb

Researchers have developed a new vision algorithm that lets humanoid robots perceive depth more like humans, using two forward-facing eyes.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Earlier this month, The Financial Times appended a note to a guest column after readers questioned whether it was written using AI.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Removing dye, however, is only useful to recycling if the process does not destroy the cellulose along with it.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Last season, his pass progression (19 out of 99) and creative threat (18 out of 99) were disappointing, though that is partly influenced by his role as a metronomic passer whose primary function was to recycle possession, rather than to break lines.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of recycle

Browse Nearby Words

canned

cannibalize

cannibalized

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cannibalize

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes