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
-
It’s directed by Linus O’Brien, the son of Richard O’Brien, the British New Zealander who wrote the show (and played Riff Raff) and then went on a gender odyssey.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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The feature starring Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop and directed by Antoine Fuqua is strong across all demos and diverse groups, though slightly more pronounced in first choice with men and women over 25.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That book involved a version of me channelling a version of my parents’ voices.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While attending a volleyball match at the 2023 Invictus Games, Meghan channeled polished prep vibes.—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 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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The money will be funneled through the state’s basic education funding formula, which means local districts will be required to match some of it.—
Riley Bunch,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Records show that Cicero’s businesses, which operate under different versions of the name SHEBA, netted more than 10% of the money that McCrory helped to funnel to Blue Hills from 2020 and 2025.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sand removed from the harbor is piped onto beaches as far south as the Tyson Street park, depending on how much material is recovered.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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All parks have piped drinking water and no shower facilities unless otherwise specified.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The tanker is believed to have carried approximately 9,000 gallons of gasoline during the crash.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
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And while vastly underused under Biff Poggi, seeing just 26 carries spanning two seasons (despite posting the highest average rush on the team), Rutledge elected to stay in green and gold and play for Tim Albin.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During a recent focus group of twenty Gen Z Republicans conducted by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, a subset of participants were asked to share their thoughts on Hitler.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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The officers conducted a pat frisk, allegedly finding a firearm from one suspect’s jacket, police said.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canalize. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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