Meaning

To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize..

Definitions by Sense

1. To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize.
2. To scrutinize (the ballot in an election or the votes cast) and reject irregular votes; also, to challenge or dispute (an election result).
3. To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc. from (people or a place)
4. To seek the support of (voters or a constituency) in a forthcoming election or poll through personal solicitation or public addresses.
5. To toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet for fun or as a punishment; to blanket.
6. To batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something).
7. To assail or attack (someone or something).
8. To severely criticize (a person, a written work, etc.).

Example Sentences

And with the aunſwere here vpon eftſoones in hand they go, / The doubtfull wordes wherof they ſcan and canuas to and fro.

Vpon feſtiuall dayes he goes to Court, & ſalutes without reſaluting: at night in an Ordinary he canuaſſeth the buſineſſe in hand, and ſeems as conuerſant with all intents and plots as if he begot them.

[T]aking ſome things vpon the report of my Sences, & vvorking out other things that vvere of a mixt nature, by way of Dialogue with mine ovvne ſelfe; yea and taking particular notice and tale of the Reporters themſelues; & anon throughly canuaſſing ouer thoſe other things layd vp in the large treaſury of my memory, ſtoring vp ſome of them there againe, and for my vſe dravving out the reſt.

Look into the vvord of God, and you ſhall find that it hath very much exerciſed the thoughts of the righteous, and Seneca the Philoſopher, canvaſſeth this grand Caſe, how it ſhould come to paſs that the vvicked proſpered.

I have made careful ſearch on all hands, and canvaſs’d the Matter with all poſſible Diligence, […]

They think marriage with a worthy man of your own faith, would tend to eſtabliſh it. You think aſſuming the veil the only expedient. This ſubject has been much canvaſſed.

Nay, Mr. Lorraine, you ought to canvass me; do you not know that all the gracious countenance Lady Mandeville can extend is mine by pledge and promise? I do not know whether I will allow her to grant the light of her favour to any rival next season—more especially to one so dangerous to the undivided effect I mean to produce, as this beautiful and interesting unknown.

Word Forms

• canvasses
• canvassing
• canvassed
• canvas

Synonyms for canvass

Related Words

When Should You Use Canvass?

Use canvass when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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