as in evoking
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
the role elicited the actress's flair for comedy that previous directors had overlooked
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Recent Examples of eliciting
Oden subbed out for the remainder of the second OT but returned to the floor for the start of the third, eliciting the frantic reaction from Rice.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Over the course of several months, the officers arrested at least 112 people, their crowd control tactics also eliciting criticism from protest groups.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
The film has been given a handsome production, with Hytner deftly conveying the period setting and eliciting excellent performances from the large ensemble.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
As Mercury and Pluto harmonize, your words have an uncanny way of eliciting others’ passions!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Not long after, Ed Sheeran—who had been chilling in the VIP area with his wife throughout the show—joined Smith, eliciting screams of surprise.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 11 Dec. 2025
Anything that succeeds in eliciting that much emotion and draws out these extraordinary performances from two of the best actors of their generation is, to me, a triumph.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 27 Nov. 2025
One burning question is whether the forecasts are based on data center projects that may never get built — eliciting concern that regular ratepayers could be stuck with the bill to build unnecessary power plants and grid infrastructure at a cost of billions of dollars.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Nov. 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
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Over the course of several months, the officers arrested at least 112 people, their crowd control tactics also eliciting criticism from protest groups.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
The film has been given a handsome production, with Hytner deftly conveying the period setting and eliciting excellent performances from the large ensemble.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
As Mercury and Pluto harmonize, your words have an uncanny way of eliciting others’ passions!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Not long after, Ed Sheeran—who had been chilling in the VIP area with his wife throughout the show—joined Smith, eliciting screams of surprise.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 11 Dec. 2025
Anything that succeeds in eliciting that much emotion and draws out these extraordinary performances from two of the best actors of their generation is, to me, a triumph.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 27 Nov. 2025
One burning question is whether the forecasts are based on data center projects that may never get built — eliciting concern that regular ratepayers could be stuck with the bill to build unnecessary power plants and grid infrastructure at a cost of billions of dollars.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Nov. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eliciting
Verb
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Get Your Steam On Sisu is a Finnish word evoking grit and tenacity—fitting for Minnesotans as well.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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Its silhouette included a sweetheart neckline and a Basque waistline—evoking the shape of many real-life princess dresses.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And where once America built the best, most awe-inspiring buildings in the entire world, now they are instead increasingly found in places like Dubai and China.—
Lee Steinhauer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
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Although Snook, who was nominated for a 2026 Golden Globe Award for All Her Fault, has not publicly shared her daughter's name, the actress credited her for inspiring her performance during season 4 of Succession.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Eliciting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eliciting. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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