CANNIBALIZE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

cannibalize

verb

Definition of cannibalize

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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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 of those consequences will be borne by the production’s cast and crew, with the leak possibly cannibalizing viewership when the movie officially premieres on Paramount+ in October. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026 The brands gaining ground today are the ones learning to operate across DTC, marketplace, and physical retail simultaneously, with each channel reinforcing the others rather than cannibalizing them. — Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Analysts today describe an institution constrained by shortages of fuel and spare parts and increasingly dependent on domestic improvisation — modifying, repurposing and cannibalizing older systems to keep them operational. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026 That Montreal had so much firepower at the top of the lineup, led by 2025 MVP Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey and Abby Roque, likely cannibalized some of Desbiens’ MVP case. — Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cannibalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalize

Verb

Alysa Guffey Currently, data centers use industrial zoning and ask for exemptions to use the site for data centers.

— Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
In court documents, O’Hara alleged the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, accusing them of unlawfully restricting free speech and initiating an unlawful seizure while using excessive force.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of use

Verb

As more of these batteries wear out, finding efficient ways to recycle them is becoming more important.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
The good news is that hangers can be repurposed around the house, donated to someone who needs them, or recycled through the right channels.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2026

Definition of recycle

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“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cannibalize

verb

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