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 book, by Martyna Majok (of Cost of Living, which was also directed by Bonney), merges past and present through Susanna’s narration, while Bonney has the show’s ensemble onstage around her as their characters interject in Susanna’s story, sometimes to play a scene, sometimes to add commentary.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
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Vang’s supporters, including members of the California Working Families Party and the California Nurses Association, have accused Matsui of directing a super PAC to spend $119,000 to boost Wooden.—
Mathew Miranda
June 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
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But music gives the show another medium with which to channel the deep feelings of characters whose passions run as hot as their blood runs cold.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
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And like Limbaugh, who built himself from a radio shock jock to a media titan by feeding listeners’ grievances, Fuentes tells his audience a story that encourages them to channel their anxieties and frustrations into disdain and hate for women and non-white people.—
Donie O'Sullivan,
CNN Money,
6 June 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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Nvidia is one of the many AI stakeholders recently making the move to funnel cash into photonics tech.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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This year, the effort was funneled through Humble Design San Diego — a nonprofit that supports people who recently secured housing after being homeless — and the students expected to donate 40 pieces.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, for example, would need to pipe exports through either Saudi Arabia or Iraq.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Sport mode also delivered a good amount of sound piped into the cabin, including entertaining turbo noises to accompany its hearty torque-shove Again, with the least amount of horsepower on tap.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, my niece is ready and the potty full of pee is passed above the table because there is no room to carry it around the side without spilling on the guests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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Cellphone video captured a spectacular, pre-Fourth of July display of fireworks on a Tennessee highway Saturday evening as a trailer carrying the incendiary haul erupted, authorities said.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The research was conducted between November and December 2025.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
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The operation, according to the army’s statement, was conducted in the Mandara mountains, which form part of the militant group’s stronghold.—
Dyepkazah Shibayan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canalize. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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