cannibalize

[ kan-uh-buh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, can·ni·bal·ized, can·ni·bal·iz·ing.

1. to subject to cannibalism.
2. to remove parts, equipment, assets, employees, etc., from (an item, product, or business) in order to use them in another:

   to cannibalize old airplanes for replacement parts.

3. to cut into; cause to become reduced; diminish:

   New products introduced in the next six months will cannibalize sales from established lines.

verb (used without object)

, can·ni·bal·ized, can·ni·bal·iz·ing.

1. to act cannibalistically; practice cannibalism.

cannibalize

/ ˈkænɪbəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to use (serviceable parts from one machine or vehicle) to repair another, esp as an alternative to using new parts

Derived Forms

• ˌcannibaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• canni·bal·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cannibalize¹

First recorded in 1940–45; cannibal + -ize

Example Sentences

Some species, for instance, have been seen cannibalizing each other.

From Science News For Students

Studios don’t seem to agree on whether streaming services are cannibalizing box office numbers.

From Time

According to Lemon, the streaming early releases did not cannibalize linear viewership.

From Digiday

Unbeknownst to many, battles are fought and alliances are formed every day as companies cannibalize each other in the race to hold the most patents for 5G technologies.

From MIT Technology Review

The problem is that brands are reluctant to give up their email CRM, and they sometimes feel like SMS cannibalizes it — when really it should eat it all up and just replace it.

From Digiday

But I do, so I thought “why would I cannibalize those ideas into a book?”

From The Daily Beast

"The events won't cannibalize each other and that's the only reason I would do this," Tollett said.

From The Daily Beast

I dread the time when I shall have to cannibalize the recorder.

From Project Gutenberg