elicited; eliciting; elicits
1
: to get (information, a response, etc.) from someone
used a questionnaire to elicit feedback
Her remarks elicited applause/laughter.
The video elicited strong emotional reactions.
While some of the jokes can be fun, others often elicit eye-rolls …—
Marcus Jones
Marcus Jones
elicitor
noun
… the theme of irrevocable loss that is known to be the most potent elicitor of sadness.
—Nina Shen Rastogi
Nina Shen Rastogi
Did you know?
The Latin Roots of Elicit
Elicit comes from the Latin verb elicere, from the prefix e-, meaning "away," and lacere, "to entice by charm or attraction."
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.
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 on the Web
This time, Andre took over the screen, sharing a quick on-camera kiss with Parker, eliciting laughter and cheers from the crowd.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2025
To the uninitiated, this mysterious sequence of events may have elicited some mild curiosity.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The encounter that elicits sheer agency in Hamida is her final one, with Lajo, Ram Chand’s sister.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Each of the three flavors (chocolate, coffee, and vanilla) fared decently in our taste test, eliciting no overtly negative feedback.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elicit
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Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2025
To the uninitiated, this mysterious sequence of events may have elicited some mild curiosity.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The encounter that elicits sheer agency in Hamida is her final one, with Lajo, Ram Chand’s sister.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Each of the three flavors (chocolate, coffee, and vanilla) fared decently in our taste test, eliciting no overtly negative feedback.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elicit
Cite this Entry
“Elicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elicit. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elicit
verb
elic·it
i-ˈlis-ət 
: to draw out often by skillful questioning or discussion
elicit the truth from a witness
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