canvass

verb

ˈkan-vəs How to pronounce canvass (audio)
variants also canvas
Definition of canvassnext
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

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 canvass Detectives are also canvassing nearby businesses for surveillance footage that may help identify the shooter. — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 In a study done by Lurie Children’s Hospital a few years ago, researchers canvassed parents in all 77 neighborhoods and found that 46% of children had never been exposed to water safety or swimming lessons. — Michael McColly, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 The coalition has been canvassing the state, visiting churches, grocery stores and neighborhoods to talk to residents about the issue and gathering 3,500 signatures to present to lawmakers in hopes of inspiring legislative change. — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 The political opposition could still freely canvass, freely campaign, freely corral new voters into their camps. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for canvass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvass
  1. survey
  2. debate
  3. interview
  4. discuss
  5. argue
Verb
  • In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission surveyed eight businesses that had advertised their use of AI and real-time data to determine prices, including Mastercard, JPMorgan Chase and retail pricing software companies.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Roman is also designed to survey the universe a thousand times faster than Hubble, according to NASA.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of survey
Verb
  • In their discussions, economists and policymakers debated the regulatory challenges in a world where tokenization is revolutionizing how financial assets are held and transferred.
    — Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers have debated for years whether these dendrites begin at the electrolyte’s surface or deeper inside the material.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of debate
Verb
  • State officials did not appear to interview any witnesses or medical experts as part of their inspection of the ride.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen, a longtime friend who has interviewed Parton numerous times, celebrated the 10-time Grammy winner.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of interview
Verb
  • Along with the move back to Britain, Meghan’s acting return was a subject the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had reportedly been discussing for some time, according to People.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Yet many Jews then and now objected to the idea that bringing up Israel’s war in Lebanon was appropriate context when discussing a synagogue attack.
    — Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of discuss
Verb
  • Some officials argue that would let Iceland keep control of its waters, since no EU country has fished there for decades.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • While that figure was low, the researchers argued that even a small risk of unintended weapons use could be unacceptable in sensitive maritime confrontations.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of argue

Browse Nearby Words

canvases
canvass
canvassed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Canvass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvass. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All