as in using
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 cannibalizing
Ducatillion described the agreement with Pimkie and the promotion of Lhomme as a smokescreen to make the company appear supportive of the textiles and fashion industry, while simultaneously cannibalizing it.
—
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
In other words, there's plenty that Apple could upgrade here without cannibalizing sales of the mainstream Series 11 watch.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
Roller Hockey International, for example, launched in 1993 and folded five years later after expanding too rapidly, cannibalizing its national sponsorships and losing its ESPN TV deal.
—Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
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
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
The President’s books are still reporting healthy sales, but are being consumed by AI engines which profit from his thoughts by cannibalizing his concepts, thus undermining future sales of his books.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Their goal is to serve as retail consultants, pairing up complementary businesses that promote each others’ brands without cannibalizing sales.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Sometimes this means cannibalizing aspects of older songs.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
In other words, there's plenty that Apple could upgrade here without cannibalizing sales of the mainstream Series 11 watch.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
Roller Hockey International, for example, launched in 1993 and folded five years later after expanding too rapidly, cannibalizing its national sponsorships and losing its ESPN TV deal.
—Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
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
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
The President’s books are still reporting healthy sales, but are being consumed by AI engines which profit from his thoughts by cannibalizing his concepts, thus undermining future sales of his books.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Their goal is to serve as retail consultants, pairing up complementary businesses that promote each others’ brands without cannibalizing sales.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Sometimes this means cannibalizing aspects of older songs.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalizing
Verb
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This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
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Vote as many times as you’d like until then without using bots or any other artificial methods of voting.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Don’t store items on top of the cabinets or allow the trash can or recycling bin to overflow.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
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Relationships with large companies interested in instituting more sustainable solutions is one of the best ways for material innovation and textile recycling companies to get a jump on seeing their work come to life at scale.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalizing. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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