canalize

verb

ˈka-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce canalize (audio)
Definition of canalizenext
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
  1. direct
  2. channel
  3. channelize
  4. funnel
  5. pipe
  6. carry
  7. conduct
Verb
  • The engine incorporates an Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN), which directs thrust to control the aircraft’s orientation during vertical operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Volunteers also reported that Basabe continually directed the speaker toward them even after Miami Beach code compliance officers told him that its volume exceeded the city’s noise limit.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of direct
Verb
  • Waveguides channel the light, modulators encode data, and photodetectors convert incoming optical signals into electrical signals.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Sara Sothern was the driving force behind her daughter’s career, channeling her own ambitions into Taylor’s success.
    — Estrella Albendea Ruiz, Vanity Fair, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of channel
Verb
  • The Don River flowing through Toronto into Lake Ontario had been channelized, encased in concrete, and diverted nearly at a right angle to output at a different location.
    — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 3 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of channelize
Verb
  • The now defunct memorandum of understanding that Washington and Tehran signed in June promised to lift sanctions and funnel billions to Iran in return for Iran’s reopening the Strait of Hormuz, possibly with Iranian tollbooths.
    — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Roy wants to funnel nonviolent offenders to diversion programs such as mental health treatment or vocational training.
    — Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of funnel
Verb
  • The result—which also uses DLSS frame generation to increase the 30 fps source to a 90 fps output—is then piped back to a 4K TV, theoretically adding some of the benefits of a beefy PC graphics card to a console-exclusive game.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Neither of those observations matches the doom narrative being piped into the Paris street.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of pipe
Verb
  • The track’s watery percussion and acute synth stabs carry all the implication of a dancefloor, even without a beat.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Ossoff, 39, began the cycle as a top Republican target and the only Senate Democrat running for reelection in a state Trump carried in 2024.
    — Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Community college officials said the company is conducting its own investigation.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • American officials told the Wall Street Journal that Washington had conducted similar attacks secretly in recent weeks.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of conduct

Browse Nearby Words

canal
canalize
canalized
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Cite this Entry

“Canalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canalize. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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