canvassing

verb

variants also canvasing
present participle of canvass
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

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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 That means a canvassing board will compare your signature to the one in your voter registration record. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Krista Mann of Indivisible KC, a progressive pro-democracy organization, said the event will include mobilization activities like door knocking, canvassing and sharing information about what issues are on local ballots. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 O’Hare though paid individuals a collective $16,000 for canvassing, whereas Simmons doesn’t report spending any. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Some time later, they were seen canvassing the area looking for surveillance video and witnesses. — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 While canvassing the area with a real estate broker, Scotto learned that its tenant had fallen four months behind on rent. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026 Peterman has been canvassing these neighborhoods for years, describing it as important union work. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026 Health Department staff are canvassing the neighborhood to spread awareness of the disease, Martin said. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 In August, more than 60 supporters attended the group’s canvassing kickoff event at Wilson Park. — Sanestina Hunter, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvassing
  1. interviewing
  2. discussing
  3. surveying
  4. debating
  5. arguing
Verb
  • The couple were sold, tapping Buck without interviewing anyone else.
    — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The department said officers spent the day gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and reviewing video from multiple perspectives, including footage showing interactions between Moreida and federal personnel before the collision.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of interviewing
Verb
  • The drugmakers aren’t discussing what such a cancer vaccine might cost.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • While discussing the weapons, White allegedly gestured toward her torso and asked whether the guns could penetrate an agentâs body armor.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of discussing
Verb
  • Emergency crews in Florida and Alabama are surveying damage wrought by Hurricane Isaias, after the storm bashed into the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm Friday night.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The three-time NBA MVP stood behind a gaggle of teammates squished up against the CU bench, quietly surveying the madness from the 15-yard line while twisting the cap of his bottled water.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of surveying
Verb
  • The vaccine may also usher in a new wave of treatments for other types of cancer, though experts are debating how broadly applicable the technology could be.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In the early 1980s, Resnicoff says that Congress was debating the Religious Apparel Amendment, which would have allowed Jews serving in the military to cover their heads.
    — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of debating
Verb
  • The Virginia appeals court is being asked to invalidate the amendment, arguing state lawmakers failed to follow proper procedures before putting it before voters.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Means, along with his sister, came to prominence within the MAHA movement by arguing that ultraprocessed foods, additives and pesticides could be blamed for many of the chronic health conditions facing Americans.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of arguing

Browse Nearby Words

canvasses
canvassing
canyon
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Cite this Entry

“Canvassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvassing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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