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
Doing it that way gives Netflix the opportunity to eventize the film on a premium format for those who want it, all without cannibalizing the audience that would watch it at home.
—
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
The rise of sports gambling hasn’t cannibalized existing casino revenue.
—Ethan Hylton, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2025
But with construction having cannibalized approximately 1,200 parking spots, residents in the neighborhoods bordering campus are worried about an influx of vehicles clogging residential streets.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2025
That hit would come after several years of the city shelling out millions more in pension contributions to prevent the funds from cannibalizing their own assets.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
The rise of sports gambling hasn’t cannibalized existing casino revenue.
—Ethan Hylton, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2025
But with construction having cannibalized approximately 1,200 parking spots, residents in the neighborhoods bordering campus are worried about an influx of vehicles clogging residential streets.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2025
That hit would come after several years of the city shelling out millions more in pension contributions to prevent the funds from cannibalizing their own assets.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize
Verb
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Little kids will enjoy its pre-programmed songs and dances, while older kids can use a smart app to program new movement patterns and routines.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
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Participants will learn the differences between dabbling and diving ducks, their unique characteristics and how to use eBird to find local waterfowl viewing hot spots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two pilot systems are designed to recycle high-quality steel waste from local watchmakers and medical manufacturers.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
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Leaving files on it could expose your personal data if the computer is ever donated, recycled or resold.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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