cannibalize

especially British, can·ni·bal·ise

[kan-uh-buh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

cannibalized, cannibalizing 

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)

cannibalized, cannibalizing 

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

Other Word Forms

• cannibalization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cannibalize¹

First recorded in 1940–45; cannibal + -ize

Example Sentences

The advent of data analytics showed that Goodwill could cluster stores closer together than previously believed without cannibalizing sales.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In previous investment cycles, Meta would launch new formats to keep up with competitors at the cost of cannibalizing its existing products.

Read more on MarketWatch

Individuals and groups with unsavory agendas can try to cannibalize such movements from within.

Read more on Salon

The initiative will likely be a test to whether it cannibalizes higher-priced attendance on other days, Reese said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By opening locations outside California, the company prevents its current stores from cannibalizing each other’s sales — among the reasons Shake Shack cited for its recent L.A. closures.

Read more on Los Angeles Times