as in channels
to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway
funneled endless time and money into his misguided pet project
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Recent Examples of funnels
Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Another funnels cocaine through the Amazon toward Ecuador’s port city of Guayaquil, now one of the world’s principal departure points for cocaine shipments heading to Europe.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Like so much of Dreijer’s music, Loud Bloom funnels elements from an eclectic range of musical styles into something novel and unique.
—Will Lynch, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
Here, the layout funnels life toward one central gathering space.
—David Caraccio
april 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The narrow sea passage in the Persian Gulf funnels nearly a fifth of the world's oil to market, but it has been effectively closed to tanker traffic since Iran began targeting shipping at the outbreak of the war.
—Richard Hall, Time, 23 Mar. 2026
Officials say the group funnels funds to Gaza that directly support Hamas and its military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and serves as a financial hub and headquarters for the Muslim Brotherhood.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
The tension underscores the high stakes surrounding the Visit Orlando contract, which funnels a staggering $100 million annually to the agency to promote Central Florida’s tourism industry.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Sealing the cracks and openings in a home is like closing a pipe of hot air that funnels all that warmth outside.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Below the falls, the river funnels into the dramatic Batoka Gorge, a series of steep, zigzagging channels carved out over millennia.
—Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Another funnels cocaine through the Amazon toward Ecuador’s port city of Guayaquil, now one of the world’s principal departure points for cocaine shipments heading to Europe.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Like so much of Dreijer’s music, Loud Bloom funnels elements from an eclectic range of musical styles into something novel and unique.
—Will Lynch, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
Here, the layout funnels life toward one central gathering space.
—David Caraccio
april 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The narrow sea passage in the Persian Gulf funnels nearly a fifth of the world's oil to market, but it has been effectively closed to tanker traffic since Iran began targeting shipping at the outbreak of the war.
—Richard Hall, Time, 23 Mar. 2026
Officials say the group funnels funds to Gaza that directly support Hamas and its military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and serves as a financial hub and headquarters for the Muslim Brotherhood.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
The tension underscores the high stakes surrounding the Visit Orlando contract, which funnels a staggering $100 million annually to the agency to promote Central Florida’s tourism industry.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Sealing the cracks and openings in a home is like closing a pipe of hot air that funnels all that warmth outside.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funnels
Verb
-
The brand’s signature French elegance really shines in this crossbody bag, thanks to its turtledove leather exterior, gold-tone hardware, and fold-over flap closure that channels true European sophistication.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
-
The sculptural Monde sofa gives a nod to Art Deco, and the curvature of the Courbe side table channels a form popular in the early 20th century.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The year-round surf breaks—including the fast-barreling tubes of Cloud 9, some 30 minutes from the resort—draw most visitors to the island, and Nay Palad’s team has a Rolodex of pro surf instructors on call to show guests the best waves.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
-
When not in use, both tubes can be folded back against the helmet, lowering the center of gravity for greater comfort and reducing the risk of the device banging into door frames or vehicle hatches, which tends to make squad leaders rather cross.—
David Szondy
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Ephemera directs the brain to the tiniest concrete nubs of consciousness, calming the quaking mind and bringing us back to ourselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Other commissions, 30 of which are listed on the city’s website not counting planning and housing codes, could face similar challenges if the council directs staff to include the reductions as part of its final budget proposal.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The company has raced to lock in distribution, securing a high-profile partnership with retail brokerage Robinhood that pipes its markets directly into mainstream trading apps used by millions of Americans.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The kitchen also pipes its own spiral sausage using a Calabrian pepper pork sausage from Lottie’s Meats, a Denver business started by sisters Chelsey and Cassie Maschhoff.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Funnels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funnels. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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