elicited; eliciting; elicits
1
: to call forth or draw out (something, such as information or a response)
her remarks elicited cheers
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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."
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.
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
This is not something meant to elicit praise, surprise, disgust or a call from my gastroenterologist.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
That assessment is likely to elicit wide eyes and snarky responses across college football, but her case comes with an important caveat.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Exploiting this vulnerability, 764 members tend to elicit fear by threatening to share a victim’s explicit or harmful content with family and friends or publicly online, ultimately forcing them to comply with their demands.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 4 June 2025
But the visit did reinforce indications of another trend that has elicited concern among some Israeli observers.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elicit
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
That assessment is likely to elicit wide eyes and snarky responses across college football, but her case comes with an important caveat.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Exploiting this vulnerability, 764 members tend to elicit fear by threatening to share a victim’s explicit or harmful content with family and friends or publicly online, ultimately forcing them to comply with their demands.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 4 June 2025
But the visit did reinforce indications of another trend that has elicited concern among some Israeli observers.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elicit
Cite this Entry
“Elicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elicit. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elicit
verb
elic·it
i-ˈlis-ət 
: to draw out often by skillful questioning or discussion
elicit the truth from a witness
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