as in to direct
to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway
funneled endless time and money into his misguided pet project
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in tube
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of funnel
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Effort, all funneled into a single-elimination format.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Helen Wright, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
The more surface area a brand gains in search, the more its language becomes a product in itself, experienced at the edge of the funnel by people who have never seen an ad or spoken to a salesperson.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for funnel
Verb
In the last few decades, successive Norwegian governments have been funneling the country’s oil wealth into culture, slowly building a system designed to nurture both artistic ambition and commercial viability, creating a national film industry from the ground up.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Effort, all funneled into a single-elimination format.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
What to read next The highlight of the cruise for many is a pirate party on the ship’s main deck, complete with Captain Jack Sparrow abseiling from the funnel.
—Helen Wright, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
The more surface area a brand gains in search, the more its language becomes a product in itself, experienced at the edge of the funnel by people who have never seen an ad or spoken to a salesperson.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for funnel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funnel
Verb
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Tennessee Republican John Rose, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, said the bill would direct the US Treasury to submit a comprehensive report within 180 days of enactment.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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An airport spokesperson told Fox News Digital that airport staff were on hand to direct flight passengers through the lines.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This tube contains a gas that, when combined with radiation, pushes an electron to create an ion pair.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The Lash Sensational Sky High formula in the iconic shiny pink tube was one of them.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The current crisis has prompted some calls for the European Union to reconsider a total ban on natural gas imports piped from Russia, due to take effect next year.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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Chicken liver mousse is piped in ruffles on savory sablé cookies; a thimble-sized complimentary cocktail begins the meal for those who drink alcohol.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fast-growing urban areas in the western United States have found ways to raise groundwater levels by tapping river water and channeling it underground.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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There were several moments like this throughout the show, as viewers took the opportunity to channel their own inner rage at people who have wronged them into Allen’s songwriting.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Consumer advocates and industry critics say that some of these companies are more interested in quick financial gains than lasting protection and might be siphoning profits instead of saving for future disasters.—
Scott Pham,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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At the time of the landmark rights deal, Levy’s sales team had spent the last two years merrily siphoning off marketing dollars traditionally earmarked for the broadcast giants.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Analysts say the referendum carries international implications as well.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Air Canada Express CRJ-900 plane, operated by its regional partner Jazz Aviation, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members from Montreal, based on a preliminary passenger list that remained subject to confirmation.—
Gursimran Mehar,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Probable cause searches were conducted on both vehicles.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
23 Mar. 2026
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According to the mayor, those personnel will not be conducting immigration enforcement.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“Funnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funnel. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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