cannibalism

[ kan-uh-buh-liz-uhm ]

/ ˈkæn ə bəˌlɪz əm /

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See synonyms for: cannibalistic on Thesaurus.com

noun

the eating of human flesh by another human being.

the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of its own kind.

the ceremonial eating of human flesh or parts of the human body for magical or religious purposes, as to acquire the power or skill of a person recently killed.

the act of pecking flesh from a live fowl by a member of the same flock.

the removal of parts, equipment, assets, or employees from one product, item, or business in order to use them in another.

the acquisition and absorption of smaller companies by a large corporation or conglomerate.

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Origin of cannibalism

First recorded in 1790–1800; cannibal + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM cannibalism

can·ni·bal·is·tic, adjectivecan·ni·bal·is·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·can·ni·bal·is·tic, adjectivenon·can·ni·bal·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby cannibalism

canner, cannery, Cannes, cannetille, cannibal, cannibalism, cannibalize, cannikin, canning, Canning Basin, Cannizzaro

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use cannibalism in a sentence

Fitting that Horror Caviar ends on a recipe inspired by Julia Ducournau’s film about cannibalism, which captivated the festival circuit when it was released in 2016.
With Cookbook ‘Horror Caviar,’ A24 Brings Terror to the Kitchen|Madeleine Davies|November 18, 2021|Eater
Eyes gouged, necks snapped, and even some good old fashioned cannibalism.
The Red Viper, Zoe Barnes, and the Best Fictional Deaths of 2014|Melissa Leon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Vicious pecking, avian hysteria, mysterious deaths, and even cannibalism” are the results, he writes.
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They practiced ceremonial cannibalism, believing the hearts of their victims would imbue them with power.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The most egregious offender of this new trend: a Norwegian student who committed self cannibalism.
The Man Who Ate His Hip…for Art|Lizzie Crocker|May 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I had often read about cannibalism being widespread in the area, so I asked a local resident about it.
An Oral History of Mao’s Greatest Crime|Zhou Xun|November 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We were always the best of friends, and I even ventured gradually to wean them from cannibalism.
The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont|Louis de Rougemont
Cannibalism and blood-drinking could also be part of blunt necessity.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun
It is said that cannibalism is as common among the starving inhabitants as pork-eating in California.
The Fiend's Delight|Dod Grile
Now there is good reason to guess that human sacrifices with no other origin than cannibalism survived even in ancient Greece.
Myth, Ritual, and Religion, Vol. 1|Andrew Lang
Accused of occasional cannibalism, justified by the pressure of famine.
The Ethnology of the British Colonies and Dependencies|Robert Gordon Latham

British Dictionary definitions for cannibalism

cannibalism

/ (ˈkænɪbəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

the act of eating human flesh or the flesh of one's own kind

savage and inhuman cruelty

Derived forms of cannibalism

cannibalistic, adjectivecannibalistically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012