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canvass

11 synonyms and 2 antonyms for canvass, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To go around asking people for their opinions, support, or votes.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

canvas tent opinion poll public opinion poll

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To go around asking people for their opinions, support, or votes.

“Volunteers canvassed the neighborhood before the election.”

study sheet examine poll sail canvas analyze analyse canvas tent opinion poll public opinion poll

2. verb

To examine or discuss something thoroughly.

“The committee canvassed every option before reaching a decision.”

Opposites

3. noun

The act of canvassing, or a survey conducted this way.

“The canvass showed strong support for the new proposal.”

How to use canvass

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

canvass voters canvass the neighborhood door-to-door canvass

Etymology

Derived from "canvas" (the cloth) — originally meaning to toss someone in a canvas sheet, which extended over time to mean thoroughly testing or examining, and eventually came to mean seeking political support.

Full origin of canvass →

Frequently asked questions

What does “canvass” mean?
The word “canvass” means to go around asking people for their opinions, support, or votes. In plain terms, to go door-to-door or ask around gathering opinions, support, or votes.
How do you pronounce “canvass”?
“Canvass” is pronounced KAN-vuhs (/ˈkænvəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “canvass” in a sentence?
Here is “canvass” used in a sentence: “Volunteers canvassed the neighborhood before the election.”
What part of speech is “canvass”?
Depending on how it is used, “canvass” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “canvass” have?
“Canvass” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to go around asking people for their opinions, support, or votes.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.