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
These initiatives elicited predictable backlash from musty corners of the Internet, where it was said that D.E.I. radicals were promoting mediocrities and trashing the canon.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
The Aggies elicited fouls instead of rejections and made 11 more free throws than the Aztecs – and won by eight.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
The administration has already asked for a list of probationary employees, among them nearly a thousand agents the bureau has to justify keeping, eliciting the possibility of swift reductions across the agency.
—Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump’s announcement of an executive order this week, promising to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), has elicited a strong response among reproductive rights advocates.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elicit
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Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
The Aggies elicited fouls instead of rejections and made 11 more free throws than the Aztecs – and won by eight.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
The administration has already asked for a list of probationary employees, among them nearly a thousand agents the bureau has to justify keeping, eliciting the possibility of swift reductions across the agency.
—Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump’s announcement of an executive order this week, promising to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), has elicited a strong response among reproductive rights advocates.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes, 22 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 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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