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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elicit What is your perspective on why pole dancing seems to elicit these kinds of comments? Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025 After initially making an attempt to get him on a healthier diet, Samantha hits him with the stone cold truth about the situation at hand, eliciting some textbook misogyny in response. Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 May 2025 First, they are no longer focused on eliciting sympathy from jurors for their client. Robert Tyson, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 The Last of Us Part II was quite a bit more controversial than its predecessor, making some bold narrative choices that continue to spark debate and elicit strong opinions nearly five years after its release. Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for elicit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elicit
Verb
  • Political Shifts And Policies: A Source Of Hope And Anxiety Simultaneously, new political policies, whether aimed at addressing climate change, social inequality or global conflicts, often evoke mixed emotions.
    Novena Riojas, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Her female figures were large in their art-historical scope as well as in their scale, evoking not just the classical tradition but also canonical modernist works by Pablo Picasso and Willem de Kooning.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Hong Kong’s relentless pace has inspired a wellness revolution where ancient rituals meet cutting-edge science.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • However, it’s inspired a trend that has been adopted by some of soccer’s biggest names — and sometimes, champagne isn’t even involved.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elicit. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on elicit

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