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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To go around asking people for their opinions, support, or votes.
“Volunteers canvassed the neighborhood before the election.”
2. verb
To examine or discuss something thoroughly.
“The committee canvassed every option before reaching a decision.”
Opposites
How to use canvass
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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 →