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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canalize
Verb
  • The documentary is directed by Hutchins’ friend, Rachel Mason.
    Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The play, directed by Kenny Leon, is scheduled to open March 23.
    Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • It’s named after a real-life Slack channel the Allure team uses to pitch ideas, spill industry gossip, and generally yap about everything in beauty and wellness that’s caught our eye.
    Kara McGrath, Allure, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Her vocals and the melodies absolutely channel Prince at his raunchiest, and a synth bass riff serves as the song’s engine, with flourishes of guitar sampled from none other than Bowie.
    James Factora, Them, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As a response to this, in the 1960s, the city added more concrete, channelizing the river in the hopes of getting runoff away from neighborhoods to Lake Michigan as fast as possible.
    Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024
  • Austin and San Antonio have dammed, altered, channelized, buried and otherwise manipulated their creeks and rivers.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Mar. 2024
Verb
  • The European leaders push to bolster regional defense capabilities comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is pressuring European NATO allies to funnel more money into security spending, while uncertainty persists over how much support Ukraine can expect from the new White House administration.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The school recruited an all-star high school basketball team, founded a children’s choir program that funneled into West’s popular Sunday Services, and developed a forward-thinking curriculum that included parkour classes.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Westfalia Americas Helping to manage those gas and electric systems and appliances, along with the plumbing system piped to the 145-L fresh water tank, the innovative Firefly touchscreen offers seamless, smart home-grade control from a single central screen.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2025
  • With ocean views, this open-air Italian restaurant serves piping hot pizzas and calzones from the oven.
    Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The company billed itself as a one-stop production shop that could carry content ideas all the way to development, with the infrastructure in place to handle marketing and distribution on its own.
    Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The charges carry a possible 5-year prison sentence.
    Rosemary Westwood, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Newsom’s office is conducting an assessment to determine whether or not the brothers would pose a risk to the public if they were released.
    Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Immerse yourself in the customer’s world and experiences by conducting the right kinds of research.
    Forrester, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Canalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canalize. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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