Solicit vs. Canvass — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
Solicit involves requesting something, often money or help, from someone, while canvass refers to seeking opinions or votes from the general public.
Difference Between Solicit and Canvass
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Solicit is primarily used when asking for donations, help, or services, often in a formal or earnest manner. Canvass, on the other hand, is commonly associated with political campaigns or market research, where individuals or groups seek people's opinions or votes.
Solicit can occur in various contexts, including charitable, business, or personal environments, where the goal is to gain support or resources. Canvass involves more direct interaction, typically involving face-to-face conversations or surveys, focused on gathering specific information or persuading.
Solicit often requires a direct appeal to an individual's generosity or sense of duty. Canvass usually targets a broader audience, employing strategies to engage many people to understand broader opinions or to influence a community decision.
Solicit is sometimes used in legal contexts to refer to the act of seeking something from someone, which can include more nefarious purposes like soliciting a crime. Canvass is used strictly in a more neutral or positive context, aiming at gathering data or support without implications of wrongdoing.
Solicit usually involves more personal communication aimed at eliciting support or a response from a specific person or group. Canvass requires a methodological approach to engage various individuals to either collect data or solicit reactions on a larger scale.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Context
Fundraising, legal, or personal
Political campaigns, surveys, market research
Communication
Direct, often one-to-one
Broad, often one-to-many
Goal
To obtain help, services, or resources
To gather opinions, votes, or data
Interaction Type
More personal and direct
More general and systematic
Legal Use
Can imply negative use (e.g., soliciting a crime)
Generally neutral or positive
Compare with Definitions
Solicit
To seek to obtain something from someone.
The company solicited feedback from their customers.
Canvass
To solicit or obtain information or opinions.
Researchers canvassed the university students for the study.
Solicit
In a legal context, asking someone to commit a crime.
He was arrested for soliciting a bribe.
Canvass
To seek votes from electors.
The volunteers went to canvass the neighborhood before the election.
Solicit
Asking for something, especially money or information.
She decided to solicit donations for the new library.
Canvass
In a broader sense, to campaign for political support.
She canvassed intensively in the urban areas.
Solicit
To approach someone with a request for support or participation.
He solicited his friends to help him move.
Canvass
To conduct a survey or gather opinions.
They canvassed the area to see what residents think about the new park.
Solicit
To petition for something formally.
The activist solicited support for her environmental campaign.
Canvass
To examine thoroughly or discuss extensively.
The committee canvassed all potential outcomes of the decision.
Solicit
To seek to obtain by persuasion, entreaty, or formal application
A candidate who solicited votes among the factory workers.
Canvass
Solicit votes from (electors or members)
He's canvassing for the Green Party
In each ward, two workers canvassed some 2,000 voters
Solicit
To petition persistently; importune
Solicited the neighbors for donations.
Canvass
Propose (an idea or plan) for discussion
Early retirement was canvassed as a solution to the problem of unemployment
Solicit
To commit the criminal offense of enticing or inciting (another) to commit an illegal act.
Canvass
An act of canvassing
A house-to-house canvass
Solicit
To make solicitation or petition for something desired.
Canvass
To examine carefully or discuss thoroughly; scrutinize
"The evidence had been repeatedly canvassed in American courts" (Anthony Lewis).
Solicit
To persistently endeavor to obtain an object, or bring about an event.
To solicit alms, or a favour
Canvass
To go through (a region) or go to (persons) to solicit votes or orders.
Solicit
To woo; to court.
Canvass
To conduct a survey of (public opinion); poll.
Solicit
To make a petition.
Canvass
To make a thorough examination or conduct a detailed discussion.
Solicit
(archaic) To disturb or trouble; to harass.
Canvass
To solicit voters, orders, or opinions.
Solicit
To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to.
Canvass
An examination or discussion.
Solicit
To disturb; to disquiet.
Canvass
A solicitation of votes or orders.
Solicit
(archaic) solicitation
Canvass
A survey of public opinion.
Solicit
To ask from with earnestness; to make petition to; to apply to for obtaining something; as, to solicit person for alms.
Did I solicit theeFrom darkness to promote me?
Canvass
To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize.
Solicit
To endeavor to obtain; to seek; to plead for; as, to solicit an office; to solicit a favor.
I view my crime, but kindle at the view,Repent old pleasures, and solicit new.
Canvass
To scrutinize (the ballot in an election or the votes cast) and reject irregular votes; also, to challenge or dispute (an election result).
Solicit
To awake or excite to action; to rouse desire in; to summon; to appeal to; to invite.
That fruit . . . solicited her longing eye.
Sounds and some tangible qualities solicit their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind.
Canvass
To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc. from (people or a place)
The police are canvassing the neighbourhood for information about the missing child.
Solicit
To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to.
ShouldMy brother henceforth study to forgetThe vow that he hath made thee, I would everSolicit thy deserts.
Canvass
To seek the support of (voters or a constituency) in a forthcoming election or poll through personal solicitation or public addresses.
The electoral candidate canvassed the district for votes.
Solicit
Make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently;
Henry IV solicited the Pope for a divorce
My neighbor keeps soliciting money for different charities
Canvass
To toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet for fun or as a punishment; to blanket.
Solicit
Make amorous advances towards;
John is courting Mary
Canvass
(by extension) To batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something).
Solicit
Incite, move, or persuade to some act of lawlessness or insubordination;
He was accused of soliciting his colleagues to destroy the documents
Canvass
(by extension) To assail or attack (someone or something).
Solicit
Make a solicitation or petition for something desired;
She is too shy to solicit
Canvass
(by extension) To severely criticize (a person, a written work, etc.).
Canvass
(intransitive)
Canvass
To debate, to discuss.
Canvass
To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc.; to conduct a survey.
Canvass
To seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll; to campaign.
Canvass
(countable) A seeking or solicitation of donations, information, opinions, support, etc.
Canvass
A seeking or solicitation, or determination, of support or favourable votes in a forthcoming election or poll.
Canvass
A scrutiny of the votes cast in an election to reject irregular votes; also, a tally, audit, and certification of votes.
Canvass
(obsolete)
Canvass
(countable) A thorough discussion or investigation. (Possibly; the meaning is unclear.)
Canvass
(uncountable) Rejection (at an election, of a suit, etc.).
Canvass
Obsolete spelling of canvas
Canvass
To sift; to strain; to examine thoroughly; to scrutinize; as, to canvass the votes cast at an election; to canvass a district with reference to its probable vote.
I have made careful search on all hands, and canvassed the matter with all possible diligence.
Canvass
To examine by discussion; to debate.
An opinion that we are likely soon to canvass.
Canvass
To go through, with personal solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions.
Canvass
To search thoroughly; to engage in solicitation by traversing a district; as, to canvass for subscriptions or for votes; to canvass for a book, a publisher, or in behalf of a charity; - commonly followed by for.
Canvass
Close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a canvass of votes.
Canvass
Examination in the way of discussion or debate.
Canvass
Search; exploration; solicitation; systematic effort to obtain votes, subscribers, etc.
No previous canvass was made for me.
Canvass
The setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account;
The crowded canvas of history
The movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound
Canvass
An inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
Canvass
A large piece of fabric (as canvas) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
Canvass
A tent made of canvas
Canvass
An oil painting on canvas
Canvass
The mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete;
The boxer picked himself up off the canvas
Canvass
Heavy closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
Canvass
Get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
Canvass
Solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign
Canvass
Consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning;
Analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare
Analyze the evidence in a criminal trial
Analyze your real motives
Common Curiosities
Is solicitation allowed in public spaces?
Solicitation in public spaces is subject to local laws and regulations, which can vary widely by location.
What legal considerations should be taken when soliciting?
Legal considerations include ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations, respecting privacy laws, and avoiding misleading or coercive tactics.
What are common methods of solicitation?
Common methods include direct mail, phone calls, email campaigns, and face-to-face meetings.
How do businesses typically respond to solicitations?
Businesses may evaluate solicitations based on their corporate social responsibility goals, budget, and relevance to their interests.
What types of canvassing are most effective?
Effective canvassing types include door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and online canvassing, depending on the target audience and goals.
How does canvassing impact voter turnout?
Canvassing can significantly impact voter turnout by increasing awareness, providing information, and motivating individuals to participate in elections.
What should be included in a solicitation letter?
A solicitation letter should include a clear request for support, details about the cause or need, and information on how the recipient can contribute.
How do charities use solicitation effectively?
Charities use solicitation to appeal to potential donors’ generosity and empathy, often sharing impactful stories or statistics to motivate donations.
How do political strategies differ when soliciting vs. canvassing?
Soliciting in politics often involves seeking donations or endorsements, while canvassing focuses more on engaging directly with voters to gather support or understand their concerns.
What technology is used in modern canvassing efforts?
Modern canvassing uses technologies such as apps for route planning and data collection, online surveys, and social media platforms for broader engagement.
How can individuals decline solicitations politely?
Individuals can decline solicitations politely by thanking the solicitor for the offer and clearly stating they are not interested or unable to contribute at this time.
What training do canvassers typically receive?
Canvassers often receive training in communication skills, persuasion techniques, and the specific information they need to convey.
What are the ethical concerns with canvassing?
Ethical concerns include respecting individuals' privacy and preferences, avoiding misleading information, and ensuring that interactions are respectful and not overly intrusive.
Can organizations solicit and canvass for the same campaign?
Yes, organizations often use both strategies in a complementary fashion to maximize engagement and support during campaigns.
What is the role of social media in canvassing?
Social media plays a significant role in canvassing by allowing organizations to reach a large audience efficiently, engage interactively, and tailor messages to specific demographic groups.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
