elicit

verb elic·it \ i-ˈli-sət \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 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

Infrequent voting should not elicit a hunch that someone has moved, Justice Breyer argued; nor does the failure to send back the postcard prove anything.

— The Economist, "A divided Supreme Court strikes a blow for lower election turnouts," 14 June 2018
Both elicited giggles from North Koreans watching the program.

— Washington Post, "After summit, North Korea shows Trump in new light," 14 June 2018
The announcement that the World Cup is coming to North America in 2026 elicited memories of when the Bay Area went bonkers while hosting 1994 World Cup games.

— bill van niekerken, San Francisco Chronicle, "When the Bay Area had World Cup fever in 1994," 13 June 2018
That said, the big animals rightfully elicit an abundance of caution.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Top 5 Wisconsin wildlife risks to humans? Maybe not what you think.," 13 June 2018
Or, worse, elicit a seemingly unfathomable, knee-jerk hatred.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "The best viral high school baseball video brings out worst in Internet," 12 June 2018
President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran deal, and to relentlessly pressure the Islamic Republic, has elicited a predictable response.

— reuel marc gerecht and, WSJ, "Don’t Fear Regime Change in Iran," 11 June 2018
Personal computers have not elicited many thrills of late.

— brian barrett, WIRED, "It's Time to Get Excited About the Future of PCs. (Yes, PCs)," 8 June 2018
His impassioned performance elicited a standing ovation from the entire crowd—and a rare reaction from judge Simon Cowell.

— kelly o'sullivan, Country Living, "Watch: 'America's Got Talent' Singer Michael Ketterer Earns Golden Buzzer From Judge Simon Cowell," 6 June 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.