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cannibalism
noun
can·ni·bal·ism
| \ ˈka-nə-bə-ˌli-zəm
\
\
Definition of cannibalism
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
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Other Words from cannibalism
cannibalistic
\ ˌka-nə-bə-ˈli-stik
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of cannibalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There were even hints of cannibalism in the form of cut marks on human bones. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Fresh images of HMS Terror shipwreck could clear up lingering mysteries," 30 Aug. 2019 Wildy’s paper finds that the stress of the nutrient-poor environment is a key factor behind the isolated mountain salamanders’ aggression and cannibalism. — Starre Vartan, National Geographic, "Meet the shape-shifting baby amphibians that become cannibals," 26 June 2019 But courtship remains perilous for males, cannibalism or no. — Knvul Sheikh, New York Times, "How Does a Male Black Widow Find a Mate? Follow the Other Guys," 31 July 2019 Trufelman, who has a soothing yet engaging voice, chronicles all the woes of this early American colony, from cannibalism to a stick of dynamite blowing up in John Smith’s lap. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, "The Best History Podcasts to Listen to Right Now," 31 July 2019 There were even hints of cannibalism in the form of cut marks on human bones. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Evil shapeshifters stalk by night in first trailer for AMC’s The Terror: Infamy," 20 June 2019 In 1820, when Herman Melville was just a year old, a whale attacked the Nantucket whaling ship Essex, causing the captain and crew to be stranded for months and resort to cannibalism to survive. — Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, "Follow Herman Melville’s Footsteps Through Nantucket," 29 Nov. 2018 The first came in the 1920s when a group of painters and writers embraced modernism under the banner of antropofagia (cultural cannibalism). — The Economist, "João Gilberto, the man who sang “The Girl from Ipanema”, has died," 11 July 2019 Reports of cannibalism surfaced soon after the disappearance, and researchers have posed theories about how lead poisoning and simple unpreparedness for cold, harsh weather may have played a role. — Author: Lauren Ellenbecker, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage Museum explores fate of doomed Franklin expedition in new exhibit," 13 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cannibalism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cannibalism
cannibalism
noun
can·ni·bal·ism
| \ -bə-ˌliz-əm
\
\
Medical Definition of cannibalism
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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