Spanish word

canibalizar

Pronunciation

IPA/kaniβaliˈθaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbtake sales from

Example

El nuevo modelo canibaliza al anterior en el mercado.

The new model takes sales from the previous model on the market.

Illustration for canibalizar (take sales from)

More examples

¿Crees que la nueva app va a canibalizar suscriptores de la otra?

Do you think the new app will take subscribers from the other one?

Core concept

A newer model drawing customers away from an earlier model within the same brand.

Common phrases

  • canibalizar suscriptores

    take subscribers from

  • canibalizar canciones

    cannibalize songs

Similar words

sustituir: Replaces a product or service with an alternative that serves the same role.
reemplazar: Takes the place of an original item by swapping in a different one.
desplazar: Pushes a product out of its sales position in the market, taking over its market standing.
quitar: Takes sales or customers away from an item, reducing its revenue.

Definition in Spanish

Provocar que un nuevo producto reduzca las ventas de otro producto de la misma empresa.

Word origin

The word derives from caníbal 'cannibal' plus -izar and extends the literal image of eating to market behavior in which a new model takes sales from an earlier one.

Usage tips

  • Also used in technical contexts to mean taking spare parts from equipment, and context determines whether it refers to market competition or physical salvaging.

Other meanings

  • salvage parts fromverb
  • eat intoverb

Opposites

Related words

  • canibalizadocannibalizedadjective

Word lists with this word