Thesaurus results for CANALIZE

canalize

verb

ˈka-nə-ˌlīz

Definition of canalize

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

Relevance

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

Even worse, Brooks directed him to contact his agent instead.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
On March 19, 2020, California issued a statewide order directing people to stay at home and all nonessential businesses to close.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of direct

Verb

Patagonia’s founder transferred ownership to a trust and nonprofit in 2022, channeling roughly $100 million a year in profits into fighting climate change.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
Top down, paddle shifters playing tunes with the twin-turbo V-8, laser-precise steering channeling the car through turn after turn as if guided by invisible rails.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 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

His choice to funnel info about Ariana to her ex has left him on the outs with most of the group, who now won’t even answer his messages about his photo shoot.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
American supports its Miami gateway by helping funnel passengers to Latin America and the Caribbean through its hubs in DFW, Phoenix and Charlotte.

— Dallas Morning News, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of funnel

Verb

An identical sports risk carries a 51% tax through one legal door and an exchange fee through the other.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
How to prevent mosquito bites in Pittsburgh There are precautions people can take to help prevent mosquito bites, including bites from the species carrying West Nile Virus.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of carry

Verb

The bureau conducts its own investigation each time an agent fires a weapon.

— Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Sakkas conducted research in the 1990s that looked at the DNA of sperm from men with fertility problems and found little breaks in the molecules’ structure.

— Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of conduct

Browse Nearby Words

canal

canalize

canalized

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Canalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canalize. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of canalize

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes