variants
also canvases
1
as in interviews
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 debates
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
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Recent Examples of canvasses
The quarterly survey canvasses the views from a sample of chief financial officers on the CNBC CFO Council.
—
Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
Johnson said her staff canvasses neighborhoods several days a week to help connect them to resources.
—Malachi Barrett, Freep.com, 22 May 2024
Lastly, check out Museum Brandhorst—eye-catching for its stunning ceramic facade, and just as much so for its massive collection of Cy Twombly canvases.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 June 2023
Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
Johnson said her staff canvasses neighborhoods several days a week to help connect them to resources.
—Malachi Barrett, Freep.com, 22 May 2024
Lastly, check out Museum Brandhorst—eye-catching for its stunning ceramic facade, and just as much so for its massive collection of Cy Twombly canvases.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canvasses
Verb
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Akers nails 1970s New York’s glitz and grime as Bernie interviews an assortment of renowned chefs, fellow critics, criminals as well as Tirel’s business associates and son, Henri, who also happens to be an old flame.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Twice a week, teacher Christi Cooper interviews her second-grade students for about three to six minutes each on books of their choice.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At least 80% of voters support photo ID, polling that Republicans have repeatedly pointed to as the Senate debates the SAVE America Act, an election bill that Democrats claim is an attempt at voter suppression.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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Dallas is $5 million behind on sales tax revenue, adding pressure as the city debates whether to repair or relocate its nearly 50-year-old City Hall.—
Everton Bailey Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Tate show, which surveys the efforts of Nigerian artists and artistic groups both before and after the country declared national independence from British colonial rule, underscores the spirit of self-determination, and of aesthetic and artistic inquiry, that drew Lawrence in the first place.—
Michael Lobel,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Swift Observatory is equipped with a Burst Alert Telescope that surveys a huge amount of the sky at once, looking for flashes of light and pinpointing their locations.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The TikTok health trends Ashley discusses required some quick education.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Colm Tóibín discusses his new collection, The News from Dublin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canvasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canvasses. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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