cannibalism

[ kan-uh-buh-liz-uh m ]

/ ˈkæn ə bəˌlɪz əm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cannibalism 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.

RELATED WORDS

primitive, savage

Nearby words

canner, cannery, cannes, cannetille, cannibal, cannibalism, cannibalistic, cannibalize, cannikin, canning, canning basin

Origin of cannibalism

First recorded in 1790–1800; cannibal + -ism

Related formscan·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cannibalistic

She was chatty and casual, and expressed her abstract concern that American democracy is on a cannibalistic downward slide.
In Houston, an NRA Victory Lap|Michael Ames|May 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Surely no animal could be more uncivilised or cannibalistic in its desires than man!
The Human Side of Animals|Royal Dixon
They took back with them many Spaniards and Tlascalans as captives for sacrifice and the cannibalistic feast which followed.
South American Fights and Fighters|Cyrus Townsend Brady
When within a few miles of it Blithelygo unfeelingly remarked that its population might be cannibalistic.
Cumner & South Sea Folk, Complete|Gilbert Parker

Was it culpable, or cannibalistic to seek and use the only life-saving means left them?
The Expedition of the Donner Party and its Tragic Fate|Eliza Poor Donner Houghton
I was just going to propose that we should cast lots, in cannibalistic fashion, to decide who should lunch on the other.
Nell, of Shorne Mills|Charles Garvice

British Dictionary definitions for cannibalistic

cannibalism

/ (ˈkænɪbəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

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

savage and inhuman cruelty

Derived Formscannibalistic, 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