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
-
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, which recommends using acetaminophen to treat fever and pain in pregnant women, says that untreated fever can cause grave harms such as miscarriage, birth defects or premature birth, especially early in a pregnancy.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
23 Sep. 2025
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Their words will have bolstered his belief, giving him the confidence to show for and collect the ball again in the defensive third just after the break, using a combination of touches and pauses to evade Brentford pressure before making a more assured sideways pass this time.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During one visit, the business was seen recycling construction, demolition and car debris, according to the lawsuit.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
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Every year, the Department of Public Works collects leaf piles throughout the city, eventually recycling the leaves into compost to be sold locally.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalizing. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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