Synonyms

elicit

American

[ih-lis-it] / ɪˈlɪs ɪt /

verb (used with object)

to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke.

to elicit the truth;
to elicit a response with a question.

elicit British

/ ɪˈlɪsɪt /

verb

to give rise to; evoke

to elicit a sharp retort
to bring to light

to elicit the truth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

elicitable adjective
elicitation noun
elicitor noun

Etymology

Origin of elicit

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin ēlicitus “drawn out” (past participle of ēlicere ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” ( e- ¹ ) + lici- “draw, lure” + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday startled Japan's prime minister by mentioning the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, a seemingly light-hearted remark sure to elicit unease in a country now a firm US ally.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

At the end, Ms. Coppola manages to elicit a suggestion that, during a difficult childhood, Mr. Jacobs would retreat to his room to build a fantasy realm as a kind of healing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

"I think it's important that we educate teens, parents, and teachers about how algorithms and social media might exploit our psychological biases to sow division and elicit violence."

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

He knocked down two three pointers and slammed a one-handed transition dunk to elicit a roar from the crowd that welcomed back a son they watched grow up.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

As she tried to elicit grievances from residents, Alston encountered a wall of suspicion and fear.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023