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
Speaking of that, there’s been some shows that have cannibalized Hollywood in this way: Entourage, 30 Rock and more recently Hacks.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
Many Family Dollar stores were located too close to each other and cannibalized each other’s own sales.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Sometimes this means cannibalizing aspects of older songs.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
To be clear: Schumer is not at risk of being deposed in short order, and Democrats do not carry House Republicans’ appetite for cannibalizing their own.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
Many Family Dollar stores were located too close to each other and cannibalized each other’s own sales.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Sometimes this means cannibalizing aspects of older songs.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
To be clear: Schumer is not at risk of being deposed in short order, and Democrats do not carry House Republicans’ appetite for cannibalizing their own.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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