Synonyms of cannibalize

cannibalize

verb

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

• use
• recycle
• utilize
• employ
• operate
• exploit
• reuse
• harness
• apply
• manipulate
• exercise
• handle
• work
• wield
• direct
• run

Dissimilar Words

• dump
• ignore
• chuck
• toss
• throw away
• throw out
• neglect
• junk
• misuse
• misapply

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cannibalize

Some users may not want their Twitch content used to train Amazon AI because of a lack of financial benefit, concerns that AI could cannibalize their business, or an aversion to the broader Amazon conglomerate. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026

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

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