cannibalic
Adjective: - Marked by barbarity suggestive of a cannibal; rapaciously savage: Describes behavior, actions, or characteristics that are extremely brutal, cruel, and predatory, reminiscent of the savagery associated with cannibals.
This is a formal and literary adjective, often used for dramatic or metaphorical effect to describe extreme cruelty, greed, or destructive behavior, rather than literal cannibalism. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
- The dictator's cannibalic regime consumed its own people in its relentless pursuit of power.
- Critics described the corporation's cannibalic business practices, as it destroyed smaller competitors without mercy.
- The novel portrays a cannibalic society where betrayal and exploitation are the norms.
- Metaphorical Use: Frequently used metaphorically to describe systems, institutions, or behaviors that are self-destructive or consume their own resources or people.
- The cannibalic nature of the industry leads companies to constantly undermine each other's innovations.
- Cannibal (n): A person who eats the flesh of other human beings.
- Cannibalism (n): The practice of eating the flesh of one's own species.
- Cannibalistic (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of cannibals or cannibalism. (Note: "Cannibalistic" is more common than "cannibalic" and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts).
- Barbaric: Savagely cruel or brutal.
- Rapacious: Aggressively greedy or grasping.
- Predatory: Exploiting or preying on others.
- Savage: Fierce, violent, and uncontrolled.
- Humane: Having or showing compassion or benevolence.
- Civilized: At an advanced stage of social and cultural development.
- Benevolent: Well-meaning and kindly.
(While there are no common idioms using "cannibalic," the concept is related to the following metaphorical expressions.) - Eat its own: Describes a group or system that turns destructively on its own members. - The political party began to eat its own over the controversial policy. - Dog-eat-dog: Describes a situation of fierce competition where people are willing to harm each other to succeed. - It's a dog-eat-dog world in the sales department.
- marked by barbarity suggestive of a cannibal; rapaciously savage