cannibalism
noun
can·ni·bal·ism
ˈka-nə-bə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind
3
: an act of cannibalizing something
Examples of cannibalism in a Sentence
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As bodies piled up, the cannibalism that had been promised by the showrunning team of Ashely Lyle, Bart Nickerson and Jonathan Lisco was officially out of the bag.
—
Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Hammer also discussed the scandal that brought down his career, which included claims of BDSM and cannibalism.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025
In stressful, crowded environments, turkeys can be aggressive and peck one another, and even commit cannibalism.
—Kenny Torrella, Vox, 26 Nov. 2024
Why Do Octopuses Tear Themselves Apart After Mating? Watch on
But males have evolved a clever defense against this cannibalism.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalism
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Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Hammer also discussed the scandal that brought down his career, which included claims of BDSM and cannibalism.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025
In stressful, crowded environments, turkeys can be aggressive and peck one another, and even commit cannibalism.
—Kenny Torrella, Vox, 26 Nov. 2024
Why Do Octopuses Tear Themselves Apart After Mating? Watch on
But males have evolved a clever defense against this cannibalism.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalism
Cite this Entry
“Cannibalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannibalism. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cannibalism
noun
can·ni·bal·ism
ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌliz-əm
1
: the eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind
Medical Definition
cannibalism
noun
can·ni·bal·ism
-bə-ˌliz-əm
1
: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh or the eggs of any animal by its own kind
3
: the pecking and tearing of the live flesh of its own members in a domestic poultry flock compare pecking order
4
: oral sadism
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