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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of canvassing
Under Texas law, canvassing must happen before the results are made official.
—
Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 2 May 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
By the afternoon, several people who appeared to be law enforcement agents were canvassing the neighborhood, with one wearing an FBI sweatshirt.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Over the next two days, officers and personnel from the medical examiner’s office conducted an extensive search, canvassing the area with cadaver dogs, which identified the possible presence of additional remains near a drainage pipe.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The group has been canvassing neighborhoods and manned information booths at the local farmers’ market.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
At the time, police canvassing the area found a Glock 45 in a yard near where the shooting occurred.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 2 May 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
By the afternoon, several people who appeared to be law enforcement agents were canvassing the neighborhood, with one wearing an FBI sweatshirt.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Over the next two days, officers and personnel from the medical examiner’s office conducted an extensive search, canvassing the area with cadaver dogs, which identified the possible presence of additional remains near a drainage pipe.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The group has been canvassing neighborhoods and manned information booths at the local farmers’ market.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
At the time, police canvassing the area found a Glock 45 in a yard near where the shooting occurred.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvassing
Verb
-
The House Oversight Committee is interviewing high-level officials as part of its probe into Epstein and the federal government's handling of the Epstein investigation.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
7 May 2026
-
Letterman played the clip from Everybody’s in LA that found Mulaney interviewing Michael Jackson’s Bubbles the chimp.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The open letter comes as EU Member states are discussing plans to combine funding for culture, media and civil society into a single pot.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
Board members had signed nondisclosure agreements barring them from discussing information related to the search, partly to protect candidates’ current employment.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The show is a culinary guessing game, where bakers must decode and decipher what type of dessert was made after surveying small clues like crumbs and food trails.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
-
Many of us have dreamed of stepping into Carrie Bradshaw’s walk-in closet and surveying a sea of Manolo Blahnik shoe boxes.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The exchanges grew increasingly heated as Pratt repeatedly attacked Raman’s homelessness proposals, prompting Raman to accuse Pratt and Bass of focusing more on attacking her than debating one another.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
The trial over Pitt's allegations of Jolie's breach of contract is scheduled to begin sometime in 2027, with Pitt and Jolie still debating on an exact start date.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors, meanwhile, have emphasized the importance of transparency, arguing that allowing cameras in the courtroom helps counter misinformation and ensures public trust in the proceedings.—
Adam Sabes , Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Dong wrote articles arguing for constitutional democracy, political reform and transparency in politics — views allowed to circulate freely in the past that are now taboo in China.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canvassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvassing. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
