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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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 At each of two recent rallies, USA TODAY met pairs of volunteers who had met while canvassing and become fast friends. Ben Adler, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025 Hundreds of volunteers combed fields and streets, posting fliers and canvassing neighborhoods, their eyes peeled for any sign of the small blonde girl. Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025 Police said officers are canvassing the area and reviewing potential surveillance footage. Jason Green, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025 Police were investigating the fliers at the time and additional officers were canvassing the neighborhood. Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025 Police are now reportedly canvassing the area for additional surveillance video that may provide more details about the three individuals. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025 Mamdani took a particular liking to canvassing. Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025 These volunteers will be involved in phone banking and canvassing efforts and will reach out to harder-to-reach communities via text messages and phones to promote the ballot measure and get voters to the polls. Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025 Multiple agencies and scores of volunteers have been canvasing rugged terrain in Game Management Unit 81 since Saturday. Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvassing
Verb
  • The local literary landmark in Fairway established its national reputation largely through its author appearances, typically with Jennings interviewing a famous visitor in front of a packed audience.
    Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been busy interviewing potential successors — among them current Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, both of whom voted in favor of the cut.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After being introduced to Picasso, Stein quickly developed a close relationship with him, discussing his work in his cluttered studio, giving him loans, and purchasing his paintings.
    Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
  • So, is the idea to replicate the British pub experience of people discussing hot topics informally?
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Parts of the Caribbean were slowly surveying the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa on Thursday after the storm brought destruction to the region and left dozens of people dead.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Also, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba overnight and was churning over the country on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm as authorities in Jamaica began surveying the extensive damage left in its wake.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Oxford Union debating society announced Tuesday the ouster of President-elect George Abaraonye after reported comments celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
    Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 22 Oct. 2025
  • What To Know Measure 26-260 was crafted by the Portland City Council and referred to voters in June after months of debating how to present it to residents.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The two were arguing inside a car and then got out of the car, where the fight escalated, police said.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • One report, citing a source close to Sheridan, even claimed the writer was annoyed that Paramount sent too many of its top suits to a meeting designed to keep Sheridan onboard, arguing that Ellison had messed up by bringing more than two execs along with him.
    Josef Adalian, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Canvassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvassing. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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