elicit

verb

elic·​it i-ˈli-sət How to pronounce elicit (audio)
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
elicitation noun
elicitor noun

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."

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

educed order out of chaos

evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

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 on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
These claims have elicited fear, hatred and anger among many voters. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 The strong substance carries the potential to elicit numerous untoward side effects, such as tooth discoloration, damage to bones, cognitive defects, skin problems, thyroid disease, reproductive issues, and a host of neurological conditions. Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 Companies dedicate untold time and resources trying to move the needle even a tiny bit on factors like productivity and security while ignoring the one shift that could elicit a dramatic change—using their own data wisely. Sirjad Parakkat, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 The results from Bankrate’s Politics and Economy Survey, conducted in mid-September, elicited responses from 2,000 people. Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elicit 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of elicit was in 1605

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near elicit

Cite this Entry

“Elicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elicit. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

elicit

verb
elic·​it i-ˈlis-ət How to pronounce elicit (audio)
: to draw out often by skillful questioning or discussion
elicit the truth from a witness
elicitation noun
elicitor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on elicit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!