Synonyms of elicit

elicit

verb

i-ˈli-sət 

as in to evoke

to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)

the role elicited the actress's flair for comedy that previous directors had overlooked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evoke
• inspire
• raise
• reveal
• educe
• call forth
• get
• extract
• pull
• obtain
• gain
• extort
• procure
• wring
• expose
• wrest
• drag
• evince
• disclose
• uncover
• dredge (up)
• secure
• discover
• wangle
• divulge
• coax (out)
• unveil
• unmask
• bare
• uncloak

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• forget
• miss
• disregard
• overlook
• pass over
• neglect
• overpass

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb elicit contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elicit are educe, evoke, extort, and extract. While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

When is it sensible to use educe instead of elicit?

The meanings of educe and elicit largely overlap; however, educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

When could evoke be used to replace elicit?

The words evoke and elicit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

When might extort be a better fit than elicit?

In some situations, the words extort and elicit are roughly equivalent. However, extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

In what contexts can extract take the place of elicit?

Although the words extract and elicit have much in common, extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of elicit

The Compliance Imperative Historically, compliance discussions frequently elicited an eye roll, often viewed as a bottleneck managed by the legal department. —William Decourcy, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Hitting the NBCUniversal upfront stage on Monday morning, Meyers gave a strong monologue tweaking his corporate overlords — and one joke at the very end elicited the biggest laughs (and gasps!) from the audience. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 May 2025

The question elicited mixed reactions from across the political spectrum. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025

If approved, the appointment would be a major shift in Johnson’s administration and elicit strong reaction from critics of the mayor and his strongest ally, the Chicago Teachers Union. —Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

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