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

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

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

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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.

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“It dwindled down to 16 functioning buses, and the rest were being cannibalized in order to maintain a minimum level of functioning buses.”

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He hyped Medicare Advantage, a privatization scheme set up to cannibalize Medicare, even though studies repeatedly show it raises patient costs without improving care.

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