Cannibalizing Meaning in English
word · lemma: cannibalize
Definition
Taking parts from one thing to use them in another, often used for machines or products. It can also mean a new product taking away sales from an existing one by the same company.
Usage & Nuances
Used in business, technology, engineering, and marketing. In business, often refers to a product stealing sales from another ('market cannibalization'). In engineering, 'cannibalizing parts' means taking parts from non-working items. Usually neutral context, but can be negative if it causes loss.
Example Sentences
The mechanic was cannibalizing old cars for spare parts.
basic
We are cannibalizing equipment to fix the broken printer.
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To save money, we're cannibalizing parts from unused laptops.
natural
The new smartphone is cannibalizing sales of the older model.
basic
They ended up cannibalizing their own market by launching so many similar products.
natural
Their strategy worked at first, but now their new line is cannibalizing profits from their best-selling product.
natural