variants
also canvasing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discussing
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of canvassing
The students in the StepS2Change group have become activists, organizing protests and canvassing neighborhoods during election campaigns.
—
Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 4 June 2026
At about the time Cofer was wrapping up in the Fruitridge area, Guerra was canvassing in East Sacramento.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Once the fire was contained, Russ said, fire crews put a drone in the air to start canvassing the area for rescue operations.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026
According to a league source, Boston’s front office has been making calls and canvasing the league to see what might be available.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 23 May 2026
That soup-to-nuts focus extends to the soft yet structured canvassing Genuardi utilizes, which is made in-house.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
The founder of AdHoc Group Against Crime was there in the days following the child’s death, searching the neighborhood for clues and canvassing the area for potential witnesses.
—Caroline Zimmerman
may 18, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
After canvassing the area, deputies distributed a BOLO with Jansen’s description to law-enforcement units nearby.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
Rather than holding a mass rally, the Saturday before primary day could be better spent phone banking, canvassing and educating voters about what's happened, Hardy added.
—Sarah Clifton, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 4 June 2026
At about the time Cofer was wrapping up in the Fruitridge area, Guerra was canvassing in East Sacramento.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Once the fire was contained, Russ said, fire crews put a drone in the air to start canvassing the area for rescue operations.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026
According to a league source, Boston’s front office has been making calls and canvasing the league to see what might be available.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 23 May 2026
That soup-to-nuts focus extends to the soft yet structured canvassing Genuardi utilizes, which is made in-house.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
The founder of AdHoc Group Against Crime was there in the days following the child’s death, searching the neighborhood for clues and canvassing the area for potential witnesses.
—Caroline Zimmerman
may 18, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
After canvassing the area, deputies distributed a BOLO with Jansen’s description to law-enforcement units nearby.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
Rather than holding a mass rally, the Saturday before primary day could be better spent phone banking, canvassing and educating voters about what's happened, Hardy added.
—Sarah Clifton, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvassing
Verb
-
Morrison has covered stories worldwide, interviewing everyone from presidents and prime ministers, student protesters under fire in Tiananmen Square, to criminals, teachers, artists, actors and authors.—
Dateline NBC,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
State investigators arrived on scene and conducted a joint investigation into the shooting with FBI agents, interviewing Castro and another ICE officer.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The text messages in 2024 between Johnson and Duffey revealed that the two men used suggestive language while discussing women colleagues.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Orange County leadership has already begun discussing how to respond to the rise in injuries, and I am encouraged by their willingness to engage this issue with seriousness and care.—
Myron Rolle,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Under a tree stand two campus police officers in full gear and sunglasses, arms folded across their chests, surveying the crowd.—
Zinzi Clemmons,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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The final phase will relocate these tests over communities, with NASA surveying residents on their impressions of the airplane’s noise.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The world is still debating whether this is a short-term disruption while farmers are already being forced to make decisions today that will have consequences next year.—
John W.H. Denton AO,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
Regulators are debating whether the new data centers will strain the Texas power grid and affect electricity costs.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Russia warns of major Kyiv attacks The Kremlin urged foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv, warning of a major forthcoming attack, with analysts arguing that Russia is losing momentum in its war on Ukraine.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
-
The men were arguing about a conflict that their children were having, the mother told the TV station.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canvassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvassing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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