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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canvass
Officers canvassed the area and could not find the paraglider or anyone who was injured, according to Noddin.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
Instead, as Quick reported, Dundon has already been canvassing the basketball world for Splitter’s possible replacement while clearly not caring about the awful optics.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Beyond protesting, the Wide Awakes were involved in canvassing for Democrats during Georgia’s 2021 election cycle.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
By the afternoon, several people who appeared to be law enforcement agents were canvassing the neighborhood, with one wearing an FBI sweatshirt.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canvass
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
Instead, as Quick reported, Dundon has already been canvassing the basketball world for Splitter’s possible replacement while clearly not caring about the awful optics.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Beyond protesting, the Wide Awakes were involved in canvassing for Democrats during Georgia’s 2021 election cycle.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
By the afternoon, several people who appeared to be law enforcement agents were canvassing the neighborhood, with one wearing an FBI sweatshirt.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canvass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvass
Verb
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Researchers surveyed the deep Cape Range and Cloates submarine canyons in Western Australia and collected over 1,000 samples, reaching depths of up to 14,797 feet, during an expedition led by the museum.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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Officials originally hired a firm to survey approval of a half-cent sales tax for 10 years, but pivoted to 1 cent for 10 years during the recent meeting.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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In an individual sport, removed from any team dynamic, the results board made the fairness debate hard to ignore.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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In a Facebook group with more than 17,000 members dedicated to discussing Florida’s sargassum, travelers regularly debate whether to keep or change their plans to avoid the rotten-egg-smelling seaweed.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Candidates for District 9 interviewed by the Southern California News Group said many residents increasingly connect ethics and accountability concerns at City Hall with broader frustrations over neighborhood conditions, city services and economic investment in the district.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
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Gawker, which shut down 10 years ago this August, was guilty of lapses in judgment — former staffers interviewed for this story admit as much.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas did not discuss Mott’s extensive criminal history at a news conference Tuesday morning but noted that investigators were reaching out to his family and those who knew him seeking additional information about his motivations.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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The former UConn All-American logged only 18 minutes off the bench in the team’s season opener at Indiana over the weekend, but Wings coach Jose Fernandez didn’t discuss whether that limited workload was a reflection of issues with a joint that has been surgically repaired twice before.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The nomination of Hamilton, who argued abolishing FEMA was not in the country’s best interests, is the latest indication of that change.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Going nuclear could help the state meet that demand, its proponents argue.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canvass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvass. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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