canvassing

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

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 The Miami-Dade Dems nevertheless argue that Garcia’s impartiality is now in question, and believe she should be replaced on the elections canvassing board before the midterms. — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 After canvassing the area, officers arrested 44-year-old San Francisco resident Glenn Hopkins as a suspect. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 Sep. 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 Police who were canvassing in the area of East 34th Street and Troost Avenue on Tuesday morning found Mahmud and took him into custody. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 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 Animal Care and Control officers are canvassing the area in an effort to determine who owns them. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvassing
Verb
  • As recently as December, FBI agents were interviewing Wien's neighbors and acquaintances, despite not being able to obtain a warrant to search her phone.
    — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The idea was that interviewing the children would make the chasms between the classes evident.
    — Lauren Jackson, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Ellis and other senior leaders have shared their own backgrounds on the bank’s intranet and blog to make others feel more comfortable discussing their upbringing.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Officials are still discussing how the storm might affect the game.
    — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The nominees represent a range of exhibitions, artists, and curatorial approaches, surveying the best in the art world during the eligibility cycle of August 1, 2025–July 31, 2026.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Pawlikowski, surveying the city, came across a graveyard that was adorned with old statues, worn by lichen and time; and that is where Erika strolls, seeking refuge, on a bright day.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Kedia wasn’t surprised by the unanimous interest rate decision because the FOMC had been debating higher interest rates for months.
    — Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
  • While the two candidates were technically debating each other, the most prominent name onstage wasn’t there and isn’t on the ballot.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • When Albin returned to the question of which country posed the greater threat to American interests, el Sayed again declined to choose between them, arguing that both had demonstrated the capacity to cause harm.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Claims of extensive cooperation Before sentencing, Wandner urged Altman to impose a sentence below the advisory guidelines, arguing that his client’s assistance to investigators had been unusually valuable.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Canvassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvassing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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