funnel 1 of 2

Definition of funnelnext
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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funnel

2 of 2

noun

as in tube

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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 funnel
Verb
The April indictment accused the organization of secretly funneling millions of dollars in donor funds to informants embedded in violent extremist movements, using bank accounts opened for fictitious companies. Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 The steep, rocky nature of the canyon itself funnels water rapidly. Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
Whether those impressions lead to a sale is left for someone further down the funnel to figure out. Ivan Doruda, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The AccuWeather team will be looking for smaller storm cells breaking off of the main line, which would give them freedom to begin rotating and potentially spin off a tornado funnel. Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for funnel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funnel
Verb
  • The festival later added to the competition with the Gaza documentary NAZA, co-directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, bringing the total to two.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The matching fabric shade is designed to diffuse some of the light and direct it downward for a softer, more ambient effect.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The design introduced major changes to the forward section of the submarine, including a Large Aperture Bow sonar array and two Virginia Payload Tubes replacing the 12 individual vertical-launch tubes used on earlier boats.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Mehta said federal Bureau of Prisons medical staff can feed Lakanwal intravenously or through a medical tube to save his life.
    Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The cost of powering homes is also up, with electricity and piped gas both costing around 4% more annually.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The collection also features a special Poké Ball Doughnut, glazed and dipped in vanilla icing, topped with red sprinkles and piped with chocolate icing.
    Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The film looks at Bareilles’ experience of channeling her own pain to create art and the healing journey that accompanied it.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Citizen, published two months after Brown’s killing, seemed to channel that righteous fury.
    Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Investigators allege Awais and his accomplices used their control of the associations to siphon money from accounts.
    Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This year alone, $5 billion in taxpayer funds will be siphoned away from public schools to prop up Florida’s unaccountable voucher program, diverting dollars from the more than 80% of children who attend public schools.
    Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Washington claimed that the launchers were preparing to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the Hormuz Strait.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • When difficulty arrives, will your routines carry you forward?
    Jason Bork, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Mayor Zohran Mamdani said an internal investigation will be conducted and that the body-camera footage will be released to the public.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Don River flowing through Toronto into Lake Ontario had been channelized, encased in concrete, and diverted nearly at a right angle to output at a different location.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 3 June 2026
  • 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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Cite this Entry

“Funnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funnel. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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