Synonyms of canvass

canvass

verb

ˈkan-vəs 

variants also canvas

1

as in to survey

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

• survey
• interview
• poll
• solicit
• question
• interrogate
• sound (out)
• circularize
• feel (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• report

2

as in to debate

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion

canvassed all the items on the agenda

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debate
• discuss
• argue
• review
• talk over
• dispute
• agitate
• moot
• bat (around or back and forth)
• hash (over or out)
• raise
• bandy
• speak (about)
• consider
• stir up
• talk (about)
• introduce
• hammer out
• weigh
• propound
• wrestle (with)
• forge
• broach
• thrash (out)
• deliberate
• talk out
• chew over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of canvass

Officers canvassed the area and could not find any witnesses who saw anything suspicious or had any information about how Carroll ended up on the bench, Krajewski said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 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

Pacheco and Chaclán canvassed rural villages on foot, helping gather some 50,000 signatures calling for Porras’s resignation. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026