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
Recent Examples on the Web
In this Ruben Östlund–lite dark comedy, Moore plays an unhinged CEO who takes her team on a retreat that ends in cannibalism.
—
Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
The creative trio has always expressed their intent for cannibalism to not be the most transgressive thing about the survival-horror-coming-of-age saga.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025
Coach Scott finds the cave Coach Ben Scott (Steven Krueger) was the only member of the group who refused to partake in cannibalism, a decision that began to take a severe toll on him.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025
But based on recent archeological research, at least some Magdalenian groups also engaged in a gorier pastime: cannibalism.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cannibalism
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Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
The creative trio has always expressed their intent for cannibalism to not be the most transgressive thing about the survival-horror-coming-of-age saga.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025
Coach Scott finds the cave Coach Ben Scott (Steven Krueger) was the only member of the group who refused to partake in cannibalism, a decision that began to take a severe toll on him.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025
But based on recent archeological research, at least some Magdalenian groups also engaged in a gorier pastime: cannibalism.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Feb. 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 19 Mar. 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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