as in uses
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 cannibalizes
Should Netflix prevail, WBD’s cable assets would be split off, effectively stranding the linear networks as the industry leader cannibalizes the content engine for its digital platform.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
But if the workforce can’t scale with those policies, the policy just cannibalizes itself.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
But if the workforce can’t scale with those policies, the policy just cannibalizes itself.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalizes
Verb
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Instead of treating touch as a simple raw pressure input, the system uses neuromorphic encoding (modeled from biological nerves) to translate force into rapid electrical spikes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
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Bell-Johnson is known as One Leg and uses a prosthetic limb after losing his leg as a child in a train accident.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Its endless flow recycles a crystalline and immaculate sheet of waste.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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During the clock's terminal count, beginning at T-10 minutes, teams will be put through a series of holds and count recycles to ensure readiness under a variety of scenarios.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalizes. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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