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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for channelize
Verb
  • Stir 1/2 cup flour into fat in Step 2; continue as directed.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Paulson braved the press, and fielded questions about what Keaton meant to her all these years after having met while shooting The Other Sister, the 1999 drama directed by Garry Marshall.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The boutique hotel is named for the beloved adjunct professor and longtime Clemson mayor, the late Larry Abernathy, channeling his passion and pride for the university and city into the guest experience.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The Canadian anthology series will channel both Carpenter’s visual style and musical sensibility as the legendary director wrote the scores and soundtracks for almost all of his movies.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Semafor traced it to a pair of US life insurers that had funneled policyholders’ cash to 777’s Bermudan reinsurer, which invested it into sports teams, airplanes, a payday lender, and a failing budget airline, among other bets generally unsuited for insurance guarantees.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The 4-4-2 structure provides a stable midfield base that funnels service quickly into central areas, from both centrally and wide.
    Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Running back Chase Brown had his best game of the year on the ground, rushing for 108 yards on just 11 carries against the Pittsburgh defense.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Washington also had a 48-yard run on the Razorbacks’ first drive and finished with 147 yards on 16 carries.
    Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Pipe melted candy melts along the length of the biscuit sticks to form tree trunks, and pipe more chocolate in wavy lines to form tree branches for spooky trees.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Large buyers of electricity typically pay lower rates because the distribution infrastructure is less complex; power needs to be piped to one location rather than hundreds or thousands of homes, said Johnson.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Movement organizers have emphasized nonviolent action and conducted safety training to promote de-escalation techniques.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • After the video spread on social media, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X that the arrest came as US Border Patrol was driving around conducting immigration enforcement.
    Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Channelize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/channelize. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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