as in to direct
to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway
channelized all of his resources into winning that state's crucial primary
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Recent Examples of channelize
When work began, parts of the Creek had been fully channelized, other portions covered by development, others existing as nothing more than trash and weed choked trickles.
—
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Those changes include channelizing the bay in some places and transforming it into dunes and marshland in others.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
The statement is in effect until 8 p.m. Caught in a rip: How to stay safe
Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2025
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
Draining wetlands and channelizing the Sprague River to enable cattle ranching and agriculture has taken its toll on the region.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Draining wetlands and channelizing the Sprague River to enable cattle ranching and agriculture has taken its toll on the region.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
Wild Los Angeles Los Angeles is a city of nearly 3.9 million people, with a heavily urbanized landscape that’s epitomized by its vast network of freeways and a mostly tame and channelized Los Angeles River.
—Discover Magazine, 15 June 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
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Those changes include channelizing the bay in some places and transforming it into dunes and marshland in others.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
The statement is in effect until 8 p.m. Caught in a rip: How to stay safe
Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2025
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
Draining wetlands and channelizing the Sprague River to enable cattle ranching and agriculture has taken its toll on the region.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Draining wetlands and channelizing the Sprague River to enable cattle ranching and agriculture has taken its toll on the region.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
Wild Los Angeles Los Angeles is a city of nearly 3.9 million people, with a heavily urbanized landscape that’s epitomized by its vast network of freeways and a mostly tame and channelized Los Angeles River.
—Discover Magazine, 15 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for channelize
Verb
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The code directed the money to a digital wallet not owned by the man, but presumably owned by the scammer, the complaint states.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Oct. 2025
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In the leadup to the deadline to fund the government this week, the White House directed agencies to prepare for mass firings in the event that Congress couldn’t reach a deal, rather than furloughing those not deemed essential as in past shutdowns.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And the cast is very much channeling that spirit on the road.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
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The Rock channels his old trash-talking persona and adds some sage wisdom for a couple of British youngsters (Florence Pugh and Jack Lowden) wanting advice on how to break into the wrestling business.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The investments over several years could be funneled into plants — including re-openings, hiring and new models — in states such as Illinois and Michigan, the people said.—
Gabrielle Coppola,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
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From the top of a lift, the three of us descended 4,800 feet into a ravine that, over the course of two hours, funneled us to Refugio Frey.—
Scott Yorko,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
Verb
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Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
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James Peoples added seven carries for 59 yards, including a 33-yarder.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Let’s Bring Back Fondue Night When fondue pots were at the height of their popularity in the 1970s, everyone would gather around the table in their house clogs and bell bottoms with skewers ready to dip into melty cheese, smooth chocolate, and even piping-hot oil (for cooking small hunks of meat).—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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This set features a button-down shirt with a scalloped collar and chest patch pocket, wide-leg pants with a pull-on waistband, and contrast piped trim.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The research, conducted without her knowledge, was commissioned by a potential political rival, according to the person who carried out the opposition research, who asked for anonymity because the poll was a private survey.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The ride system manufacturer and an independent, third-party roller coaster engineering expert conducted their own on-site testing of the vehicle.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Channelize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/channelize. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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