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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cannibalism in a sentence

Unlike other sharks, lamniforms practice intrauterine cannibalism.
Attack of the inner-cannibal mega-shark|Carolyn Gramling|November 10, 2020|Science News For Students
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
"I don't suppose any Frenchman is given to cannibalistic diet," he answered, smiling.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
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

I had read considerable about them, much of which ridiculed the rumors of their cannibalistic traits.
Tales of lonely trails|Zane Grey
Their first pastimes are killing games, playing dead, stories of witches, cannibalistic ogres.
The Cup of Fury|Rupert Hughes
They were represented as of gigantic proportions, herculean strength and ferocious and cannibalistic propensities.
Barney Blake, The Boy Privateer|Herrick Johnstone

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