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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Zeev Sternhell, Slate Magazine, 7 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canalize
Verb
-
Executive branch heads were directed to report back regularly on its implementation.—
Julia Mueller,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Following the sound, the officers were directed to a car wash on Van Brunt Boulevard, near I-70.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His wife is played by Chloe Fineman, channeling Parker Posey and her popular take on the North Carolina accent.—
Andy Hoglund,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
That will be followed by Wednesday’s return leg against Arsenal, a fixture which will require Mbappe to channel his inner 2021-22 Karim Benzema.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Similarly, no Villa player has received as many passes in high areas, with Emery constructing a build-up style designed to funnel the ball past the opponents’ midfield and in to Rogers.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The whole purpose of most creative industries is to funnel people towards what is successful.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The facility’s bar dish-washing machine was not piping sanitizing chemicals into the wash basin because the machine’s chemical lines were set up improperly.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Millions of gallons are piped downtown to heat buildings, warm pools and melt snow on the sidewalks.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There were so many physical scenes and heavy emotions carried throughout.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The charges carry a combined sentence of 24 to 62 years in prison, Drummond said, and up to $260,000 in fines.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The White House has said more than 200 strikes have been conducted so far.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
According to daily surveys conducted by Morning Consult Intelligence, 19% of Gen Z respondents were considering a purchase from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line or Disney Cruise Line in March 2025, up from 15% two years prior.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canalize. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share