cannibalize
|can-ni-ba-lize|
/ˈkænɪbəlaɪz/
use/take from one's own (literally or figuratively)
Etymology
'cannibalize' originates from English formation by adding the suffix '-ize' to 'cannibal', where the suffix '-ize' (from Greek/Latin/French) forms verbs meaning 'to make or become'.
'cannibalize' was formed in modern English by combining 'cannibal' (from Spanish 'caníbal' reported from the Carib people) with the verb-forming suffix '-ize'; 'cannibal' itself entered English from Spanish 'caníbal' (from accounts of the Carib people, recorded by Columbus as 'Canibales').
Initially, 'cannibal' referred to people who ate human flesh; the verb 'cannibalize' originally meant 'to eat members of one's own species' and later extended metaphorically to mean stripping parts from one item to use in another and, by analogy, to internal competition of products.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
noun form of 'cannibalize': the act or process of cannibalizing (literal, mechanical, or commercial senses).
The cannibalization of older models reduced overall profitability.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to eat the flesh of an animal of the same species (literal use).
Historical accounts claim some groups would cannibalize enemies after battle.
Synonyms
Verb 2
to remove parts from one machine, vehicle, or device to use in another (to salvage parts).
The mechanic had to cannibalize an old engine to repair the tractor.
Synonyms
Verb 3
to cause one product's sales to be eaten into by another product from the same company (marketing sense).
Launching the cheaper model could cannibalize sales of our premium version.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/13 02:13