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
After canvassing, the NBA didn’t appear to drum up much interest or any bidding war on the trade market.
—
Zach Harper, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Looking ahead, Semafor canvased experts for their predictions on Washington’s ties with African countries in 2026 on a range of topics, from critical minerals to security.
—Semafor Staff, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Clouse said investigators spent four days processing the Arizona home and canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses, surveillance video and other evidence.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Law enforcement officers canvassed the surrounding neighborhood and found one home less than a mile away – where Adams lived – that lacked a suitable backstop for shooting, according to the affidavit.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canvass
Zach Harper, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Looking ahead, Semafor canvased experts for their predictions on Washington’s ties with African countries in 2026 on a range of topics, from critical minerals to security.
—Semafor Staff, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Clouse said investigators spent four days processing the Arizona home and canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses, surveillance video and other evidence.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Law enforcement officers canvassed the surrounding neighborhood and found one home less than a mile away – where Adams lived – that lacked a suitable backstop for shooting, according to the affidavit.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canvass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvass
Verb
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Construction goes digital To examine the full construction process, from surveying existing buildings and digital planning to on-site execution, architects, civil engineers, designers and computer scientists at the university are working closely with industry partners.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
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These are usually metal stakes, inserted in the ground by the crew that surveyed your property.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Opposite a serene Rooney Mara and a raging Claire Foy, Buckley is a lone dissenting voice in Sarah Polley’s heart-wrenching portrait of a group of women and girls in an isolated Mennonite colony who are debating how to respond to a series of brutal attacks from the men in their community.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
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The band was the first to sanction fan taping at their concerts, spawning an abundance of homespun recordings that have been collected, traded and debated for decades.—
Erin Osmon,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Detroit Lions' Kelvin Sheppard is expected to interview for the Miami Dolphins head coaching job after serving one season as defensive coordinator, a source told CBS News Detroit's Rachel Hopmayer.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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The Falcons also interviewed former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Monday, while McDaniel also interviewed with the Cleveland Browns.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In response to questions from The Sacramento Bee, representatives from the governor’s office did not address any of the proposals lawmakers have been discussing.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Before the closed-door session on Wednesday, board members publicly discussed approving, funding, and conducting an investigation into Bulson and any other board member who was potentially involved in the April 2024 incident.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mahan has also faulted the governor’s administration for dismissing allegations of waste, fraud and abuse in state programs, arguing those concerns should not be partisan.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
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As argued in his book Abundance, Ezra Klein explains how America's growth has been hindered by well-meaning regulations, permitting requirements, and veto points that have blocked affordable housing, infrastructure, and clean energy development.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canvass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvass. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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