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

Tallahassee police detectives have reviewed digital evidence and canvassed the area, police said in a statement Sunday. — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Their art selection is peppered with Alexander Calder mobiles, Ellsworth Kelly canvases, and Gerhard Richter paintings, works that offer plenty of reference material, naturally. — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

That means a canvassing board will compare your signature to the one in your voter registration record. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Ross says investigators canvassed the neighborhood and began to piece together a timeline. — Meghan O'Brien, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026