elicit

verb elic·it \ i-ˈli-sət \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: elicit in a Sentence

Editor's Note: The Latin Roots of elicit

Definition of elicit

elicited; eliciting; elicits

transitive verb

1 : to call forth or draw out (something, such as information or a response)

her remarks elicited cheers

2 : to draw forth or bring out (something latent or potential)

hypnotism elicited his hidden fears

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elicitation

play \i-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən, ˌē-\ noun

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elicitor

play \i-ˈli-sə-tər\ noun

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Examples of elicit in a Sentence

If ever there was a two-way pleasure street, it's the delight a baby takes in being tickled and the joy the parent experiences in the tumble of laughter it elicits. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 17 Jan. 2005
Gingrich elicits perhaps the greatest sympathy when he talks about the challenge of graduating from a rabble-rousing backbencher in the House minority to presiding over (and trying to control) the first Republican majority in 40 years. —Richard L. Berke, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1998
In a wild, captive wolf that is not socialized to man, approach will elicit flight and, if the wolf is cornered, a defensive reaction may be triggered, which is termed the critical-distance reaction. —Michael W. Fox, The Soul of the Wolf, 1980
She's been trying to elicit the support of other committee members.
My question elicited no response.
She's been unable to elicit much sympathy from the public.

Recent Examples of elicit from the Web

While attempting to finish the puzzle, participants listened to a music playlist, with each song eliciting a different stress response.

— Southern Living, "This Song Will Instantly Lower Your Stress Level By 65 Percent," 3 July 2018
Powell focused next on the congressional backlash that the Academy’s report would surely elicit.

— johnforristerross, Longreads, "Taming the Great American Desert," 2 July 2018
So the news that Goucher men’s lacrosse program led the Landmark Conference this past spring in caused turnovers per game at 10.4 did not elicit that much of a reaction from the sixth-year head coach.

— edward lee, baltimoresun.com, "Ride helped Goucher men’s lacrosse cause more turnovers per game in six years," 20 June 2018
The comment had attracted quite a bit of attention on social media Thursday and elicited a passionate response from the White House.

— author: sonia rao, Anchorage Daily News, "Samantha Bee apologizes for calling Ivanka Trump a vulgar word after White House condemnation," 1 June 2018
Pearson and Weisberger know their characters and audiences so well that even their worst jokes elicit chuckles.

— bethanne patrick, Time, "Two Novelists Revisit Beloved Characters After a 15-Year Hiatus," 31 May 2018
The only other character that doesn’t elicit a cringe is Cathy’s crush, the affable gentleman Michael (Peter Mullan).

— New York Times, "What’s on TV Saturday: The Eurovision Song Contest and ‘Mum’," 12 May 2018
But the first two starts from Matt Moore don't elicit a ton of confidence.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Rangers Reaction: Checking in on Choo's streak and Beltre closing in on Biggio | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 7 Apr. 2018
As a mega-billionaire making more billions thanks to the personal information of most of the world’s internet users, Zuckerberg doesn’t elicit much sympathy.

— kurt wagner, Recode, "Mark Zuckerberg knows he screwed up," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elicit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Latin Roots of elicit

Elicit derives from the past participle of the Latin verb elicere, formed by combining the prefix e- (meaning "away") with the verb lacere, meaning "to entice by charm or attraction." It is not related to its near-homophone, the adjective illicit—that word, meaning "unlawful," traces back to another Latin verb, licēre, meaning "to be permitted." Nor is elicit related to the verb solicit, even though it sounds like it should be. Solicit derives from Latin sollicitare ("to disturb"), formed by combining the adjective sollus, meaning "whole," with the past participle of the verb ciēre, meaning "to move."

Origin and Etymology of elicit

Latin elicitus, past participle of elicere, from e- + lacere to allure

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1605

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

elicit Synonyms

Synonyms

educe, evoke, inspire, raise;

Near Antonyms

disregard, forget, ignore, miss, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over;

coax (out), gain, get, obtain, procure, secure;

bare, disclose, discover, divulge, evince, expose, reveal, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil;

Phrases

call forth;

Synonym Discussion of elicit

educe, evoke, elicit, extract, extort mean to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved. educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.