canvassing

variants also canvasing
present participle of canvass
1
as in interviewing
to go around and approach (people) with a request for opinions or information we canvassed people all over town, asking if they would be interested in participating in a recycling program

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

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 canvassing O’Hare though paid individuals a collective $16,000 for canvassing, whereas Simmons doesn’t report spending any. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Some time later, they were seen canvassing the area looking for surveillance video and witnesses. — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 The Miami-Dade Dems nevertheless argue that Garcia’s impartiality is now in question, and believe she should be replaced on the elections canvassing board before the midterms. — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 While canvassing the area with a real estate broker, Scotto learned that its tenant had fallen four months behind on rent. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026 Peterman has been canvassing these neighborhoods for years, describing it as important union work. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026 Health Department staff are canvassing the neighborhood to spread awareness of the disease, Martin said. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 Police who were canvassing in the area of East 34th Street and Troost Avenue on Tuesday morning found Mahmud and took him into custody. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 In August, more than 60 supporters attended the group’s canvassing kickoff event at Wilson Park. — Sanestina Hunter, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvassing
Verb
  • Marley Marius, who made her podcast debut in 2024 while interviewing Escola, the show’s playwright and onetime star, once again joined Chloe on The Run-Through, this time to talk to Yang about starring in this wildly beloved production.
    — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The murder prompted an extensive investigation, with police interviewing more than 1,300 people and knocking on hundreds of doors.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Using one term as shorthand for another can blur information patients may be looking for when reading about a medication or discussing a prescription with a provider.
    — Emma Clapp, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Jurors are now discussing hours of video and several witness and expert testimonies.
    — Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Emergency crews in Florida and Alabama are surveying damage wrought by Hurricane Isaias, after the storm bashed into the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm Friday night.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The three-time NBA MVP stood behind a gaggle of teammates squished up against the CU bench, quietly surveying the madness from the 15-yard line while twisting the cap of his bottled water.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Presbyterian seminary student made the comment while debating legislation related to transgender people participating in school sports.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Agree On Decision Criteria First Agree on the decision criteria before debating the decision.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • By arguing for the necessity of the chains of deportation today, Vance makes an eerily similar case.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Good luck enforcing Potemkin guarantees from hyperscalers or arguing that local protests excuse a construction delay that blew a hole in the financing.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Canvassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvassing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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