soliciting

American  

[suh-lis-i-ting] / səˈlɪs ɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of requesting something, especially money.

   Deceptive advertising, soliciting, and recruitment are prohibited on campus.

2. the act of offering to exchange money for sex.

   One man, arrested twice for online soliciting, was rearrested while on a work release program.

---

Etymology

Origin of soliciting

solicit ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Maybe they’re on a cruise somewhere, or in Hawaii or some other great place. We want those pictures,” Levin said in a video soliciting images from the public.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Posing as recruiters on the online professional networking platform, Chinese spies would initially request paid reports before later soliciting non-public or even classified information.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The obscure law bans a person from soliciting or receiving nonpublic information from a public servant by means of their office or employment with the intent to obtain a benefit.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2026

The bill introduced by Zbur would disbar any attorney who is convicted of illegally soliciting clients.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

I hadn’t forgotten the accusing look Miss Buckner had given me when she saw me with the petty cash—as if I had been doing something untoward, soliciting favors from Mr. Haber.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu