as in to direct
to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway
the director of the charity should be canalizing the flow of donations so that the money ends up where it is most needed
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Recent Examples of canalize
Some became conscious of the role a state could play in intervening in the economy in order to curb and canalize democracy.
—
Zeev Sternhell, Slate Magazine, 7 Apr. 2017
Zeev Sternhell, Slate Magazine, 7 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canalize
Verb
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The Russian general was one of several GRU officials sanctioned by the United States in 2016 for wide-ranging malicious cyber activity directed at undermining US democratic processes.—
Anna Chernova,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Prosecutors say Johnson directed a person to send emails to Greenfield officials on his behalf addressing matters related to his employment and the ongoing investigation, with no attorneys included on the correspondence.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These sets elevate the bedtime routine, channeling your inner Hugh Hefner while keeping you cool and relaxed.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
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And then channel four news team assemble!—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Upstream from Upper Klamath Lake, a key tributary was channelized and wetlands drained, resulting in massive amounts of phosphorus flowing into the Upper Klamath Lake and, eventually, the lower river.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
29 Dec. 2025
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The Army Corps of Engineers channelized and paved the once-meandering river.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
17 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Republican state lawmakers opposed the measure, saying the Legislature was circumventing its process and abandoning transparency and accountability in order to funnel tax dollars to a political ally.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Earmarks funnel millions to local projects like a new Green Bay Metro Fire Department station.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Transfer icing to a pastry bag fitted with a very small straight tip (or use a resealable plastic bag and snip off one corner); pipe a pattern on top of marzipan as desired.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Music piped through a loudspeaker, and the boys began to dance.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The launcher carries six 300 mm rockets and is operated by a small crew working from within an armored cabin designed to protect against shrapnel and small-arms fire, according to reports.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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Of his goals, the strike just outside the box away to Inter carried the most threat.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The program conducts annual performance reviews and sets a caseload cap of 80 to preserve efficiency and quality for its attorneys.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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Complaints the authority doesn't investigate are referred to Cincinnati police, which may conduct a formal internal affairs investigation or assign the complaint to a supervisor, according to a city website.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canalize. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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