CANNIBALIZE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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 To some extent, the cool commercial logic of the fashion industry—which transforms beautiful, original works into cheaply reproducible goods, season after season—echoes that of Hollywood, which regularly cannibalizes and, yes, franchises its greatest successes. —

Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026 Astronomers watched as jets blasting from a black hole cannibalized a blue supergiant companion star. —

Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026 No small wonder that Scorcese self-cannibalized the move in several subsequent projects. —

Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026 SaaS profit margins may compress and consolidation may follow, but not because AI cannibalized the industry, Kahn explains. —

Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cannibalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize

Verb

While Marner avoided an abysmal 2025-26 season, the Leafs are expected to use the first-overall pick in the upcoming draft on Penn State star Gavin McKenna, the kind of player who should be able to help right the ship in a hurry.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Drake addresses Kendrick Lamar feud with fiery tracks The Grammy-winning rapper also used his latest musical project to reignite his feud with fellow emcee Kendrick Lamar.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 May 2026