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

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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
  • In Texas, parents have the fundamental legal right to direct the moral and religious upbringing of their children without state interference.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • In the movie, directed by Reiner, those are the three words Westley (Cary Elwes) uses while responding to requests from Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright).
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • And as any great author would do, the Edgar Award-winning writer channeled the encounter for her book.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • The government has established major aid-collection centers at La Carlota in Caracas and Almacenadora Caracas in Catia, urging citizens to channel donations through official distribution networks to avoid logistical bottlenecks.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026
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
Verb
  • Frank Carone agreed to accept bribes from Zhu and Chen, funneled through Anthony Carone, in exchange for steering a multimillion-dollar contract to house migrants at their Long Island City hotel, the indictment alleges.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • Additionally, the town maximized the use of revenue from Measure G, a one-eighth cent sales tax passed by voters in 2018, and funneled any leftovers from past capital projects for the Shannon Road Repair Project so that the project could continue to be funded without additional resources.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The theme continues with gold contrast stitching and embroidered eyelets in the same color to suggest rivets, as well as piping on the heel taking after the interior of selvedge denim.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 23 June 2026
  • Copper, also on the list, has traditional uses such as piping for plumbing, but is also needed in electronics and the automotive industry.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Just assume that any animal is going to carry disease, and rabies is one of them.
    Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Fujimori’s presidency marks a return of her family’s political brand to Peru’s highest office — a movement that has long carried a complicated relationship with the United States.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Veterinarians conducting preliminary examinations determined many of the dogs died from gunshot wounds, according to Honsal.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • The long-term health effects of the fire and its smoke probably won’t be known unless researchers conduct a follow-up study, said Eisenman of UCLA.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Canalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canalize. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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