Solicit — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /sə-ˈli-sət/ so·lic·it

Meaning & Definition of Solicit

Solicit (verb)

  1. to approach (someone) with a request or plea
  2. to make petition to, entreat
  3. to try to obtain (something) by usually urgent requests or pleas

Solicit (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go around and approach (people) with a request for opinions or information

    "solicited several opinions about which job he should accept"

    similar: canvass, interview, poll, survey
    related: circularize, interrogate, question, feel (out), sound (out)
    near: report

  2. to make a request for

    "always ready to solicit donations for a charity"

    similar: ask (for), bespeak, call (for), desire, plead (for), quest, request, seek, speak (for), sue (for)
    related: apply (for), beg (for), claim, clamor (for), importune, urge, wish (for), demand, enjoin, exact, insist (on), petition (for), press (for), require, requisition, invite, invoke

  3. to make a request of

    "solicited him to join the team"

    similar: ask, hit (up), request, call on
    related: appeal (to), beg, beseech, conjure, entreat, implore, importune, invite, invoke, petition, plead (to), pray, supplicate, demand, enjoin, exact, press, require
    near: coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, require

  4. to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner

    "solicit the President for relief funds"

    similar: appeal (to), beg, beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), pray, supplicate, call on
    related: bludge (chiefly Australian & New Zealand), cadge, mooch, sponge, ask, desire, invoke, request, claim, coerce, command, compel, demand, force, insist, require
    near: hint, imply, intimate, suggest, appease, conciliate, gratify, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, please, satisfy, comfort, console, content, quiet

  5. 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?"

    similar: allure, bait, beguile, betray, decoy, entice, lead on, lure, seduce, tempt
    related: draw in, inveigle, persuade, rope (in), snow, catch, enmesh, ensnare, entrap, mesh, snare, tangle, trap, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate, magnetize, wile
    near: alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off), warn, drive (away or off), repulse, turn away

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Solicit

The most common words with a similar meaning to Solicit:

canvass, interview, poll, survey, ask (for), bespeak, call (for), desire, plead (for), quest, request, seek, speak (for), sue (for), ask, hit (up), appeal (to), beg, beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), pray, supplicate, allure, bait, beguile, betray, decoy, entice, lead on, lure, seduce, tempt, call on

Related Words for Solicit

circularize, interrogate, question, feel (out), sound (out), apply (for), beg (for), claim, clamor (for), urge, wish (for), demand, enjoin, exact, insist (on), petition (for), press (for), require, requisition, invite, invoke, press, bludge, cadge, mooch, sponge, coerce, command, compel, force

Near Antonyms of Solicit

report, coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, require, hint, imply, intimate, suggest, appease, conciliate, gratify, mollify, pacify, placate, please, satisfy, comfort, console, content, quiet, alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off), warn, drive (away or off), repulse

Word Forms of Solicit

Inflections: solicited, soliciting, solicits

Origin & Etymology of Solicit

Middle English, to disturb, promote, from Anglo-French solliciter, from Latin sollicitare to disturb, from sollicitus anxious, from sollus whole (from Oscan; akin to Greek holos whole) + citus, past participle of ciēre to move safe, -kinesis

First known use: 15th centuryt

Frequently Asked Questions about Solicit

What does "Solicit" mean?

"Solicit" means to approach (someone) with a request or plea. As a verb, it is defined as: to approach (someone) with a request or plea. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Solicit"?

Other words for "Solicit" include canvass, interview, poll, survey, ask (for), bespeak, call (for) and desire. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Solicit" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Solicit"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Solicit". Common alternatives include canvass, interview, poll, survey, ask (for), bespeak, call (for), desire, plead (for) and quest.

How do you use "Solicit" in a sentence?

Examples of "Solicit" in a sentence: "solicited several opinions about which job he should accept"; "always ready to solicit donations for a charity"; "solicited him to join the team".

Is "Solicit" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Solicit" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Solicit"?

"Solicit" is pronounced /sə-ˈli-sət/ and divided into syllables as so·lic·it.

What is the origin of the word "Solicit"?

"Solicit" comes from Middle English, to disturb, promote, from Anglo-French solliciter, from Latin sollicitare to disturb, from sollicitus anxious, from sollus whole (from Oscan; akin to Greek holos whole) + citus, past participle of ciēre to move safe, -kinesis. First known use: 15th centuryt.

What is another word for "Solicit" meaning "to go around and approach (people) with a request for opinions or information"?

When "Solicit" (verb) means to go around and approach (people) with a request for opinions or information, synonyms include canvass, interview, poll and survey.