as in used
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 cannibalized
Yeah, streamers have really cannibalized the romcom genre.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
The beatdown on Alphabet shares came despite better-than-forecast revenue growth that indicates the company’s advertising sales are in no way being cannibalized by consumer adoption of AI, including its own Gemini AI chatbot and its AI Mode in Google Search.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Investors will also be watching for signs of ongoing search growth, and indications that AI hasn’t cannibalized the company’s core business.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Having cannibalized what’s there, Musk wants to use his chatbot to remake the media, internet, and universe of knowledge to his liking.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
During the first billion years of the galaxy, the Milky Way essentially cannibalized many neighboring smaller galaxy-like systems.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
At the 2025 Emmys, Domingo didn’t disappoint with his innate knack for wearing a bold look without being cannibalized by it.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The flagships seek to take on an upscale aura, and position the high street brand as aspirational to fend off Chinese ultra-fast fashion players such as Shein and Temu, which have cannibalized the low-cost market.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
The rise of sports gambling hasn’t cannibalized existing casino revenue.
—Ethan Hylton, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2025
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
The beatdown on Alphabet shares came despite better-than-forecast revenue growth that indicates the company’s advertising sales are in no way being cannibalized by consumer adoption of AI, including its own Gemini AI chatbot and its AI Mode in Google Search.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Investors will also be watching for signs of ongoing search growth, and indications that AI hasn’t cannibalized the company’s core business.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Having cannibalized what’s there, Musk wants to use his chatbot to remake the media, internet, and universe of knowledge to his liking.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
During the first billion years of the galaxy, the Milky Way essentially cannibalized many neighboring smaller galaxy-like systems.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
At the 2025 Emmys, Domingo didn’t disappoint with his innate knack for wearing a bold look without being cannibalized by it.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The flagships seek to take on an upscale aura, and position the high street brand as aspirational to fend off Chinese ultra-fast fashion players such as Shein and Temu, which have cannibalized the low-cost market.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
The rise of sports gambling hasn’t cannibalized existing casino revenue.
—Ethan Hylton, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cannibalized
Verb
-
Grapevine Faith then used four walks, a sacrifice bunt, and an infield single to produce three runs.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
No substitution or compensation will be given for any portion of the prize that is not used.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the end of two years, the bamboo charcoal can be recycled into your garden.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The new manufacturing process uses 50% less aluminium, 90% of which is recycled.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cannibalized. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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