cannibalize

Definition of cannibalizenext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cannibalize Some users may not want their Twitch content used to train Amazon AI because of a lack of financial benefit, concerns that AI could cannibalize their business, or an aversion to the broader Amazon conglomerate. Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 Nakano says both companies were uncertain whether free distribution would feed the subscription service or cannibalize it. Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Ensembles of this size historically cannibalize their own campaigns, splitting supporting votes into confetti. Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 July 2026 Just as a host shouldn’t cannibalize their guests, guests shouldn’t overstay their welcome—which is exactly what the suitors courting Penelope do. Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cannibalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize
Verb
  • Researchers have developed a new vision algorithm that lets humanoid robots perceive depth more like humans, using two forward-facing eyes.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this month, The Financial Times appended a note to a guest column after readers questioned whether it was written using AI.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Removing dye, however, is only useful to recycling if the process does not destroy the cellulose along with it.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Last season, his pass progression (19 out of 99) and creative threat (18 out of 99) were disappointing, though that is partly influenced by his role as a metronomic passer whose primary function was to recycle possession, rather than to break lines.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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