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
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
College sports at the highest level is cannibalizing itself with the transfer portal and Name, Image & Likeness cash flow that has brought tumult and turmoil to top programs in football and basketball, where the money is made and where athletes now chase their share.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
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
College sports at the highest level is cannibalizing itself with the transfer portal and Name, Image & Likeness cash flow that has brought tumult and turmoil to top programs in football and basketball, where the money is made and where athletes now chase their share.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalizing
Verb
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Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Sep. 2025
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That wouldn't happen in a treatment using mirror cells because our immune systems wouldn't recognize and attack them.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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LanzaTech Global, a carbon recycling company, has announced a major innovation that could reshape the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
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The plant houses expanded enzyme production facilities, which allows Samsaran Eco to further build out its proprietary enzyme discovery and development platform to include recycling a broader range of plastics.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalizing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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