1
as in to survey
to go around and approach (people) with a request for opinions or information solicited several opinions about which job he should accept

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to tempt
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage how many men have been solicited into purchasing bogus aids for "male enhancement" by shameless appeals to their vanity?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word solicit distinct from other similar verbs?

The words ask and request are common synonyms of solicit. While all three words mean "to seek to obtain by making one's wants known," solicit suggests a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public announcement or advertisement.

a letter soliciting information

When is ask a more appropriate choice than solicit?

The words ask and solicit can be used in similar contexts, but ask implies no more than the statement of the desire.

ask a favor of a friend

Where would request be a reasonable alternative to solicit?

The words request and solicit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, request implies greater formality and courtesy.

requests the pleasure of your company

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 solicit The Trump administration has been soliciting ideas for ways to entice Americans to have more children. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2025 For the first time, Monday's egg roll solicited corporate sponsors. Brittney Melton, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025 The officials wanted to break up the contract into three parts to solicit new bids, the people said. Paul Mozur, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Jones, 46, whose father, Emil Jones Jr., led the state Senate for years before orchestrating to have his son replace him in 2009, is charged with bribery, use of an interstate facility to solicit bribery and lying to federal agents. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for solicit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicit
Verb
  • For context, the poll surveyed 158 players across all 30 NBA teams, but not all players answering every question.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The firms surveyed 1,480 workers who were unemployed at some point from 2019 to 2024 and the results were provided exclusively to USA TODAY. Need a break?
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The administration is also seeking relief from having to file daily updates on its progress.
    Ben Finley, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In all four cases, Lilly is seeking to stop the sites from marketing or selling tirzepatide.
    Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Alito asked Alan Schoenfeld, the county’s attorney.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Healthcare providers consider your medical history and ask about symptoms.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That’s a lot of unspent money and begs the question: Is more tax needed from an industry that’s shrinking, not growing?
    Andrew DeAngelo, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Amy Sherald’s monumental solo exhibition, American Sublime begs this question.
    Najha Zigbi-Johnson, Essence, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • If that’s not enough to tempt you, the set also comes with an insulated wine bag, an insulated cooler (which fits nicely in the basket), two food containers, and a fleece blanket.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025
  • You may be tempted to cry into your beer over all of the recent problems with the economy and the rising prices of … well, everything.
    Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • For example, brainstorming or interviewing somebody (but asking the same question multiple ways) while managing a complicated timeline.
    Hunter McMahon, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Walt Ekard Endowed Scholarship at SDSU’s School of Public Affairs to help students pursuing public service.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
  • Players who request a change after the start of the season are not allowed to request another change until the next season, except in exceptional circumstances.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Broadway's biggest night is nigh, but a number of Hollywood heavyweights weren't invited to the party.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Set largely in the breathtaking backdrop of Capri, Italy this time around, the story finds Emily getting married and Stephanie questioning Emily’s motive on why she was invited to the joyous occasion.
    Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicit. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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